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.
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)
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)
Green Party
Hannah Spencer (Green - Gorton and Denton)Green Spokesperson (Housing, Communities and 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)
Nesil Caliskan (Lab - Barking)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
09:51
Written Evidence
The Government has introduced the Representation of the People Bill, which includes its manifesto commitment to lower the voting age …
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of local government reorganisation on the ability …
Regulation 2 of these Regulations makes a number of changes to the Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) Regulations …
A Bill to make provision about social housing.
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
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
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).
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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: 9 Current Inquiries
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee: Previous Inquiries
50 most recent Written Questions
(View all written questions)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.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
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.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
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.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
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.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
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.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the response given to UIN HL15918 on 8 April 2026.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
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.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
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.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
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.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
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.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
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.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
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.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department has no such plans.
The government continues to keep permitted development rights under review.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
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.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
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.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124803 on 20 April 2026.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124803 on 20 April 2026.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124803 on 20 April 2026.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124803 on 20 April 2026.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124803 on 20 April 2026.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
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.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 122204 on 1 April 2026.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government has no current plans to publish planning practice guidance specifically on the sub-division of agricultural units.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
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.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
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.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
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.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
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.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
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.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
James Cleverly
(Conservative - Braintree)
He was, in line with the practice of successive administrations.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the information requested.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the information requested.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the information requested.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the information requested.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
In 2025/26, HM Land Registry completed over 4 million post‑completion applications to update or create titles. Nearly half were completed and returned to the customer within one week (excluding third-party action) with 23% automated and completed within minutes.
If a delay to an application may cause financial, legal or personal problems or put a property sale at risk, it can be expedited free of charge.
Improving speed of service for customers remains HM Land Registry’s main priority. Plans to achieve this are outlined in its published Strategy 25+ and supporting Business Plan 2026+.
HM Land Registry’s processing times are publicly available at: HM Land Registry: processing times - GOV.UK and they also provide information on forward looking estimated time ranges for most applications once they have been submitted: HM Land Registry estimated completion timeframes - GOV.UK.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Environmental assessments are an iterative process undertaken throughout the planning process.
The initial screening process determines whether an Environmental Impact Assessment is required to ensure that decision-makers can take account of any likely significant effects on the environment.
This process runs alongside assessment under the Habitats Regulations which ensures potential impacts on protected sites are considered at an early stage, with competent authorities required to ascertain that plans or projects will not adversely affect the integrity of those sites before permission can be granted.
As the government progresses with developing Environmental Outcomes Reports, we will ensure the value and rigour of environmental assessment is retained, while securing better environmental outcomes.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 4726 on 8 June 2026.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published on 12 December 2024, makes clear that the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change should be considered in preparing and assessing planning applications.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted a new NPPF. The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to climate change adaptation.
We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
All buildings occupied by public authorities, with a total useful floor area of 250m2 or greater and frequently visited by the public are required to display a Display Energy Certificate (DEC). It is the building occupier’s responsibility to determine whether a DEC is required. The Government does not hold a definitive list of buildings that must have a DEC. Information on the number of lodged DECs, including the number of certificates in operational rating bands from A to G, is available on gov.uk here.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Democratic Engagement Fund is open to applications from civil society organisations delivering community-based, politically neutral projects in England. As set out in the Fund’s eligibility criteria, organisations must operate independently of political parties and avoid any activity that promotes or endorses a political agenda. Organisations during their applications are required to demonstrate that their activities are impartial and not used for party-political campaigning or lobbying. Organisations must not use grant funding for lobbying, campaigning for elected office, or influencing legislation.
Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria, including requirements on independence and impartiality, will not progress. This ensures that public funding is used appropriately and supports politically neutral activity that strengthens democratic participation.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Allocations under the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) will be subject to the bids received.
Proposals for Traveller Pitches will be assessed against the SAHP assessment criteria: value for money, deliverability and strategic fit.
The specific funding requirements for Traveller Pitches are set out in documents published by Homes England including the Capital Funding Guide for bids outside of London and documents published by the Greater London Authority including the Capital Funding Guide for bids in London.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to question UIN 60128 on 4 July 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department engages regularly with stakeholders from across the home buying and selling sector, including estate agent membership organisations and individual estate agent businesses from across the country.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Between 23 March and 19 May 2026, we consulted on the Draft New Towns Programme. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, sought views on a range of issues, including in respect of financing the programme.
We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
The precise funding offer for each new town location will be confirmed once final decisions have been made on the programme.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Between 23 March and 19 May 2026, we consulted on the Draft New Towns Programme. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, sought views on a range of issues, including in respect of financing the programme.
We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
The precise funding offer for each new town location will be confirmed once final decisions have been made on the programme.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Between 23 March and 19 May 2026, we consulted on the Draft New Towns Programme. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, sought views on a range of issues, including in respect of financing the programme.
We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
The precise funding offer for each new town location will be confirmed once final decisions have been made on the programme.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124681 on 20 April 2026.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Ministers take a range of factors into account when considering whether to exercise statutory powers in relation to a local authority and will only act where necessary to secure compliance with the Best Value duty, underpinned by robust evidence of widespread, systemic, corporate, or service failure. The Secretary of State's letter of 19 December 2025 makes clear that statutory guidance in relation to the 4 day week remains in force.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Following Royal Assent for the Representation of the People Bill 2026, the Government will bring forward regulations in due course to set out the detailed provisions.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
This Government recognises the current rules aren’t working for many people and has been clear that leaseholders should not be left responsible for the creation of historic building safety defects.
We are working hard to develop options to further protect leaseholders from current and future building safety issues, especially those groups left out of existing protections and who are unable to sell because of the existing rules.
We hope to be able to provide a more detailed response shortly.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)