Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The Government recognises that the impact of climate change is likely to increase and intensify fire incidents in England and Wales – with potential to impact fire and rescue service’s (FRS) resources, capacity, and strategical response.

As the lead government department for wildfire, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) maintains regular and ongoing engagement with other government departments including the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and Cabinet Office on this national risk. This is alongside the department’s work 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 we have also 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.

The Government has established a programme to update guidance issued under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Nine new guides have been published with at least 13 still in development. This programme includes guidance specific to business and premises types, such as the guidance for small non-domestic premises, as well as the larger guides on offices & shops and factories & warehouses.

We engage relevant businesses on specific guides through stakeholder engagement on the draft guides and promote these once published. This includes working with the Department for Business and Trade on pages specifically helping businesses to understand their duties. As part of this we published a new page aimed at small business on 6 January, which can be found on gov.uk here.

Fire safety legislation is devolved. Government and devolved administration officials meet regularly, and the Northern Ireland Executive publish guidance similar to that published in England.

Protecting communities from flooding is a key priority for this Government. Fire and Rescue Authorities already have duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to prepare for emergencies, including major flooding. However, we recognise the interest in creating a statutory duty for flood response and officials are working with DEFRA, as lead government department for flooding, to consider the wider implications of this.

MHCLG supports Fire and Rescue Authorities in responding to flood incidents by providing national resilience High Volume Pump (HVP) capabilities. These are available to be used by Fire & Rescue Services across the country during major flood incidents. Additionally, DEFRA hold the Flood Rescue National Asset Register, a list of teams or assets that voluntarily join the register and maintain availability for national deployment in England.

Current imprint rules require campaigners to include the name and address of a promoter, any person on whose behalf the material is published, and, for printed material, the printer’s details.

The Government has committed to adding unregistered third-party campaigning organisations to the list of entities who are required to include a digital imprint on their organic digital campaigning material and extend the Electoral Commission’s remit to be the primary enforcer of all imprint rules.

The Government has no plans to introduce a real-time submission system for digital and print advertisements to the Electoral Commission at this time, but welcome the steps taken by social media companies to create “advert libraries”.

It is, and always will be, an absolute priority to protect our democratic processes from both mis and disinformation and from foreign interference. Any new regulation addressing mis and disinformation must be carefully balanced with the need to protect freedom of expression and the legitimate public debate which is also crucial to a thriving democracy. Since March, the Online Safety Act has required services to take steps to remove illegal disinformation content. Illegal disinformation content includes state-sponsored disinformation in scope of the Foreign Interference Offence, and disinformation aimed at disrupting elections where it is a criminal offence in scope of the regulatory framework. This can include false statements of fact about a candidate’s personal character or conduct and undue influence on voters.

The Defending Democracy Taskforce coordinates work to protect UK political parties, elected officials and electoral infrastructure from threats including foreign interference and the Joint Election Security and Preparedness unit coordinates work to protect UK elections and referendums. The Counter Political Interference and Espionage Action Plan launched last month to disrupt and deter spying from states.

The Government’s strategy for modern, secure and inclusive elections, published in July, sets out our plan to strengthen oversight of and safeguards against known and emerging threats, including foreign interference. We will deliver a robust and proportionate response to known risks, protecting the integrity of our system and reinforcing public trust in democracy.

The Secretary of State will take his decision on whether or not to postpone a council’s elections having regard to any views provided by councils, together with any other representations received.  The Secretary of State will consider the position of each council individually, weighing up the evidence received. This means that different decisions may be taken for different councils within the same area, depending on the representations received.

Whilst the government works towards a local government funding system fit for the future and delivering reforms that move funding to the places where it is most needed, the government recognises the potential for some continued instability and that some local authorities may be in a challenging financial position.

That is why, as set out in the local government policy statement in November, we confirmed for those councils in the most challenging financial positions there will be – similar to previous years – an Exceptional Financial Support framework and the ability for local requests for council tax flexibility where an authority views additional council tax increases as critical to managing financial risk.

In considering any requests for council tax flexibility, the government will carefully consider a local authority’s specific circumstances and the impacts of any proposed council tax increase to local taxpayers, the most vulnerable and the authority’s ability to provide key services. Additionally, unlike the previous government, this government would not agree to requests for additional flexibilities from authorities where council tax payers are already paying more than average.

The government will continue to work constructively with local authorities requesting support but remains clear that authorities should take reasonable steps locally to manage financial pressures and deliver for their residents and only seek support in exceptional circumstances.

In line with the position of the previous government, we treat all discussions in confidence and do not publish details of requests from individual authorities ahead of decisions being made.

As ever, I remain happy to meet with Members to discuss any local concerns and would invite them to share their views.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

The government is consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, more rules-based policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation includes explicit recognition of chalk streams as features of high environmental value.

Our proposed policy is clear that local plans must identify and manage the impacts of development on these sensitive areas, for instance by creating buffer zones or green corridors, while giving local authorities flexibility to decide which measures are best suited to their local context.

We have also set out more clearly expectations for development proposals to assess and mitigate adverse impacts to water quality on these sensitive waterbodies.

The government is consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, more rules-based policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation includes explicit recognition of chalk streams as features of high environmental value.

Our proposed policy is clear that local plans must identify and manage the impacts of development on these sensitive areas, for instance by creating buffer zones or green corridors, while giving local authorities flexibility to decide which measures are best suited to their local context.

We have also set out more clearly expectations for development proposals to assess and mitigate adverse impacts to water quality on these sensitive waterbodies.

Through our £30.5 million Changing Places Toilet programme, we have supported the installation of 483 new disabled toilet facilities across 220 local authority areas in England. This targeted investment helped address gaps where provision was limited or non-existent.

Although this programme closed on 31 March 2025, changes to building regulations made in January 2021 require Changing Places facilities in new public buildings (or those undergoing major redevelopment) that fall above a certain size threshold. This aims to significantly increase the availability of these vital facilities over time and makes accessibility a mainstream consideration in how we plan and build our public spaces.

Our coastal communities and their economies add unique value to the country and offer significant growth potential. As the Minister responsible for communities and local growth, I work closely with my colleagues across government to promote economic growth and create strong communities in all parts of the country, including coastal communities.

No overall assessment has been made yet of the full operational costs for Strategic and Local Authorities of taking on functions from Police and Crime Commissioners. We will be working with authorities to assess those costs as the details of the new system are developed and legislated for. We will work with the Home Office to ensure that the new arrangements are fully funded.

Home Office Ministers will announce in due course plans for the transfers of PCC functions in the Devolution Priority Programme.

I wish to assure you that this government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector.

The new government code will contain guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities and will protect motorists from bad practice, whilst supporting legitimate operators.

In preparation for the new code, in 2025 the government published a consultation document outlining its proposals to raise standards across the private parking industry.

All responses are now being analysed and the government will publish a response and outline its final plans in due course.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is working closely with the Home Office, local authorities and their national membership bodies in addition to devolved partners to develop and deliver a new, more sustainable model for asylum accommodation.

Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our society, which is why we’re taking a strong lead in tackling it in all its forms. Police recorded 2,873 antisemitic hate crimes in 2024–25, accounting for 29% of all religious hate crimes. We work closely with partners to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities. The Community Security Trust has been allocated £28 million in 2025/26 through the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant. This includes additional emergency funding of £10 million. On 17 December we published a summary of recent Government action on Antisemitism - Antisemitism: recent government actions and next steps - GOV.UK

Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our society, which is why we’re taking a strong lead in tackling it in all its forms. Police recorded 2,873 antisemitic hate crimes in 2024–25, accounting for 29% of all religious hate crimes. We work closely with partners to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities. The Community Security Trust has been allocated £28 million in 2025/26 through the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant. This includes additional emergency funding of £10 million. On 17 December we published a summary of recent Government action on Antisemitism - Antisemitism: recent government actions and next steps - GOV.UK

Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our society, which is why we’re taking a strong lead in tackling it in all its forms. Police recorded 2,873 antisemitic hate crimes in 2024–25, accounting for 29% of all religious hate crimes. We work closely with partners to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities. The Community Security Trust has been allocated £28 million in 2025/26 through the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant. This includes additional emergency funding of £10 million. On 17 December we published a summary of recent Government action on Antisemitism - Antisemitism: recent government actions and next steps - GOV.UK

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a range of duties, including facilitating safety in higher-risk buildings (HRBs), keeping the safety and standards of all buildings under review and facilitating improvement in competence across industry.

The introduction of the BSR in 2023 has led to demonstrable improvements in the safety of the buildings it is responsible for. HRBs are now subject to more stringent scrutiny at both design and construction stages. The planning gateway process embeds fire and structural safety requirements at the earliest stages of design and construction.

The BSR has faced challenges implementing a significant shift in building safety regulation and recognises the impact of delays on the pipeline of new HRBs. In June, MHCLG announced a new phase for the BSR, including strengthened leadership, steps to address operational challenges, and plans for a new body for the BSR.

BSR performance continues to improve. Significant numbers of new build applications have been cleared, and new operating models are delivering dramatically reduced processing times. To support transparency and accountability, the BSR published performance data on 23 December 2025 and will continue to do so monthly.

Establishing a standalone body for the BSR will provide a singular focus for the new leadership to tackle this complex area of regulation. Work is underway to establish the new body through a Statutory Instrument which confirms the establishment date as 27 January 2026. We will work closely with the BSR to ensure a smooth transition from the Health and Safety Executive.

The data requested is not held centrally although the English Housing Survey does collect data on accessibility and adaptations within the home. Housing is one of this Government’s top priorities; everyone deserves to live in a decent home in which they feel safe.

The Government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making, designed to make planning policy easier to use and underpin the delivery of faster and simpler local plans. The consultation includes policies on accessible housing. The consultation on changes to the NPPF is available here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

The data requested is not held centrally although the English Housing Survey does collect data on accessibility and adaptations within the home. Housing is one of this Government’s top priorities; everyone deserves to live in a decent home in which they feel safe.

The Government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making, designed to make planning policy easier to use and underpin the delivery of faster and simpler local plans. The consultation includes policies on accessible housing. The consultation on changes to the NPPF is available here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

The data requested is not held centrally although the English Housing Survey does collect data on accessibility and adaptations within the home. Housing is one of this Government’s top priorities; everyone deserves to live in a decent home in which they feel safe.

The Government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making, designed to make planning policy easier to use and underpin the delivery of faster and simpler local plans. The consultation includes policies on accessible housing. The consultation on changes to the NPPF is available here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

The introduction of a mayor for Surrey would depend on there being a combined authority across the area, i.e. more than one local authority. It will be for the new councils across the Surrey footprint to set out to the Government how they wish to take forward devolution.

The Government will set out next steps on new devolution agreements, including further mayoralties, in due course.

The Government recognises that Mayoral Strategic Authorities are most successful when they are built on a strong history of partnership and joint delivery. We want to see devolution that is built on strong foundations, with strong unitary structures in place before areas access mayoral devolution.

The Secretary of State gave a speech on the overall government approach to housing. No other departmental business was discussed at this event.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that planning policies should be based on robust and up-to-date assessments of the need for open space and should make sufficient provision for and maintain and enhance networks of green infrastructure, which includes areas of vegetation.

Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework helps to define what good green infrastructure ‘looks like’ for local planners, developers, and communities. The Green Infrastructure Framework includes a standard on accessible greenspace which sets criteria on size, proximity and quality.

The government is currently consulting on changes to the NPPF, including a new requirement for local plans to set out standards for green infrastructure, drawing upon Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Standards. These include a standard on accessible greenspace which sets criteria on size, proximity, and quality. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Local planning authorities are expected to assess economic needs as part of their evidence base and to consider these issues when determining individual applications, including the potential effects of new housing development on nearby businesses and on opportunities for local employment.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that planning policies and decisions should ensure that new development can be integrated effectively with existing businesses. Where the operation of an existing business or community facility could have a significant adverse effect on new development in its vicinity, the applicant (or ‘agent of change’) should be required to provide suitable mitigation before the development has been completed.

The government is currently consulting on changes to the NPPF, including updated policy on the agent of change principle so that it is more explicit about the matters to be considered and types of activity which may be affected. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

In May 2025, the government published a Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out inviting views on further action the government should take to speed up homes being built. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On the same day, we launched a technical consultation on implementing measures to improve the transparency of build rates from new residential developments, which includes proposals to implement provisions in Section 113 of the LURA on the power to decline to determine applications. That consultation can be found on gov.uk here.

We are now analysing the responses to both consultations, and we will set out our next steps in due course.

The government is currently consulting on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), including new policy designed to ensure major development proposals are capable of being implemented within a reasonable period – taking into account tenure mix, local market conditions and development history of the site.

My Department does not collect data on planning applications or planning appeals relating specifically to mansard roof extensions.

Our National Plan to End Homelessness is backed by £3.5 billion from 2026/27 to 2028/29. Over £3 billion of this funding will be delivered to councils through the multi-year local government finance settlement. We are also providing £37 million through the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund for voluntary, community and faith groups.

My Department has no current plans to make such an assessment.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by preventing new and existing development from contributing to, being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of noise pollution.

Planning policies and decisions should avoid noise giving rise to significant adverse impacts on health and the quality of life.

It is up to individual local planning authorities to determine what contributions should be sought to assist in mitigating the impact of unacceptable development to make it acceptable in planning terms.

We are currently reviewing applications from local authorities wishing to pilot at the May 2026 elections and we will share further details in due course. An application from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets is not being considered.

The Social and Affordable Homes Programme will not be used to provide accommodation for asylum seekers.

On 17 November 2025, my Department published a consultation on reforms to the statutory consultee system. That consultation closes on 13 January 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.

No decision will be made on Sport England’s role until views on impacts of these consultation proposals are fully reviewed.

There are currently no local authority mayoralties operating in Surrey, and no mayoral elections are planned for the new unitary councils. Under provisions in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, any new council created through local government reorganisation will adopt the leader and cabinet model of governance.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 76385 on 24 September 2025.

We are consulting on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, including proposals relating to developer contributions and viability. The changes aim to promote greater clarity about expected contributions, including those related to affordable housing, and the limited circumstances in which site-specific viability assessments may be justified.

The consultation is available here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

We are consulting on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, including proposals relating to developer contributions and viability. The changes aim to promote greater clarity about expected contributions, including those related to affordable housing, and the limited circumstances in which site-specific viability assessments may be justified.

The consultation is available here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

My Department’s annual Social Housing Lettings in England statistical series includes data on the number of the new social housing lettings in England each year to households by the self-reported nationality of the lead tenant. It can be found on gov.uk here.

Data from 2006/07 to 2024/25 can be found in table 3e in the Social Housing Lettings in England, tenants summary tables: April 2024 to March 2025, which can be found here.

For details on the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 11 November 2025 (HCWS1027).

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that it is for local planning authorities to assess the size, types and tenure of housing needed for different groups, including (but not limited to) those who require social rented homes and to reflect this in their planning policies.

By the end of the multi-year Settlement, we will have made available a 15.1% increase in Core Spending Power for councils in England, worth over £11 billion, compared to 2025-26. The vast majority of social care authorities will see a real terms increase across over the multi-year Settlement.

The government agrees with respondents to the December consultation and Fair Funding Review 2.0 that implementing funding reform in full in 2026-27 without transitional arrangements would be the wrong approach. We will support local authorities to manage their updated funding positions by introducing changes over the multi-year Settlement and protecting councils’ income, including locally retained business rates growth.

The government is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market and we will continue to consider this issue as we develop our long-term housing strategy.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report including in relation to specialist accommodation for older people.

The government is consulting on changes to the NPPF, including proposed changes to support the delivery of specialist forms of accommodation such as housing for older people. The consultation is open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 95245 on 5 December 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 95245 on 5 December 2025.