Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what powers they are considering devolving to local authorities.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local authorities are central to the Government's ambitions for economic growth, public service reform and stronger communities.

As set out in the Government's Rewiring the State Cabinet Statement (here), we are committed to shifting power from central government to local leaders and communities, including through ensuring that powers, functions and resources are exercised at the level most appropriate to achieving better outcomes for people and places.

The Government has also committed to increasing the proportion of business rates retained by local government. Further detail on our approach to devolution and the distribution of responsibilities across different levels of government will be set out in a forthcoming White Paper.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 18 June 2026, to Question 8574, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Staff, and to the answer of 14 July 2026, to Question 14979, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned Piccadilly Gate - Manchester staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace and in absolute terms.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2026 to Question 8574 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Staff and to the Answer of 14 July 2026 to Question 14979 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned Eastbrook - Cambridge staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace and in absolute terms.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 18 June 2026, to Question 8574, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Staff, and to the answer of 14 July 2026, to Question 14979, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned i9 - Wolverhampton staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace and in absolute terms.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 18 June 2026, to Question 8574, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Staff, and to the answer of 14 July 2026, to Question 14979, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned Erskine House -Belfast staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace and in absolute terms.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned 23 Stephenson Street - Birmingham staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned Queen Elizabeth House - Edinburgh staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned Renaissance House - Warrington staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned Priory Square - Hastings staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 18 June 2026 to Question 8574 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Staff and to the Answer of 14 July 2026 to Question 14979 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned Wellington Place - Leeds staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace and in absolute terms.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2026 to Question 14979 on MHCLG: Darlington, if she will provide equivalent figures, expressed as percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace, for each other regional office in the most recent working week for which figures are available.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, what steps they are taking, if any, to ensure combined authorities publish up-to-date, audited accounts, before devolving powers and funding to combined authorities.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The non-compliance list sets out which bodies have failed to meet the relevant backstop date and includes information on whether draft accounts were published in time, the appointed auditor, whether an audit opinion was delivered by the backstop date, and whether audited accounts were subsequently published.

The list highlights that all combined authorities are compliant with the statutory requirements to publish audited accounts except Tees Valley Combined Authority, which has outstanding accounts for 2023/24 and 2024/25.

The government continues to engage with all local bodies and audit firms to ensure that issues preventing the issuance of audit opinions are resolved and that outstanding opinions are published as soon as practicable.

The statutory deadline for publishing audited accounts for 2025/26 is 31 January 2027 and the government will continue to publish the outcome of the statutory deadlines. As part of its reform of the local audit system, the government is establishing the Local Audit Office later in autumn 2026, which will strengthen accountability, transparency and oversight across the sector.

The Government has moved away from 'devolution by deal' towards a statutory Devolution Framework, as set out in the English Devolution White Paper and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. Rather than determining individually which powers should be devolved to particular institutions, Strategic Authorities at each of the three levels in the framework will be automatically entitled to a standard set of powers, funding and collaboration agreements, with a clear route to taking on greater responsibilities.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government which combined authorities (1) have published, or (2) have not published audited accounts, in each of the last five years.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The non-compliance list sets out which bodies have failed to meet the relevant backstop date and includes information on whether draft accounts were published in time, the appointed auditor, whether an audit opinion was delivered by the backstop date, and whether audited accounts were subsequently published.

The list highlights that all combined authorities are compliant with the statutory requirements to publish audited accounts except Tees Valley Combined Authority, which has outstanding accounts for 2023/24 and 2024/25.

The government continues to engage with all local bodies and audit firms to ensure that issues preventing the issuance of audit opinions are resolved and that outstanding opinions are published as soon as practicable.

The statutory deadline for publishing audited accounts for 2025/26 is 31 January 2027 and the government will continue to publish the outcome of the statutory deadlines. As part of its reform of the local audit system, the government is establishing the Local Audit Office later in autumn 2026, which will strengthen accountability, transparency and oversight across the sector.

The Government has moved away from 'devolution by deal' towards a statutory Devolution Framework, as set out in the English Devolution White Paper and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. Rather than determining individually which powers should be devolved to particular institutions, Strategic Authorities at each of the three levels in the framework will be automatically entitled to a standard set of powers, funding and collaboration agreements, with a clear route to taking on greater responsibilities.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their position on the maximum permissible variance in electorate between wards in the new unitary councils.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is independent of Government and accountable to Parliament. It reviews electoral and boundary arrangements for councils in England, including councillor numbers and the size and distribution of wards. The Commission can only conduct an electoral review once an authority exists in law. Where new councils are established, interim electoral arrangements will be included in the structural changes order. The Government will have regard to the Commission's published guidance on electoral reviews.

I refer the Noble Lord to the Secretary of State's oral statement of 7 September 2026. The Government has withdrawn the March 2026 decisions for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, and paused activity in 14 areas while a full review of the local government reorganisation programme is conducted. We recognise the need for clarity and will set out next steps as soon as possible.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what Local Government Boundary Commission for England guidance they will have regard to when considering submissions from individual councils on the proposed new unitary councils' (1) external boundaries, (2) number of councillors, (3) size of wards, and (4) distribution of wards; and whether this issue will be in scope of their review announced on 7 September.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is independent of Government and accountable to Parliament. It reviews electoral and boundary arrangements for councils in England, including councillor numbers and the size and distribution of wards. The Commission can only conduct an electoral review once an authority exists in law. Where new councils are established, interim electoral arrangements will be included in the structural changes order. The Government will have regard to the Commission's published guidance on electoral reviews.

I refer the Noble Lord to the Secretary of State's oral statement of 7 September 2026. The Government has withdrawn the March 2026 decisions for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, and paused activity in 14 areas while a full review of the local government reorganisation programme is conducted. We recognise the need for clarity and will set out next steps as soon as possible.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the London Borough of Tower Hamlets is compliant with paragraph 6 of the Revised Best Value Statutory Guidance on working with voluntary and community groups, and small businesses.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Department assesses compliance with the Best Value Duty against the Best Value statutory guidance and intervention framework. Consultation is currently underway on this Government’s revised Best Value statutory guidance. The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is subject to statutory Best Value intervention in response to a number of issues, including in the council’s partnerships, governance and use of resources. The Ministerial Envoys regularly report to Ministers on progress in improvement, which inform the Department’s ongoing assessment of the council’s compliance with its Best Value Duty.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the Command Paper Protecting What Matters: Towards a more confident, cohesive, and resilient United Kingdom on 9 March, which (1) authorities, (2) individuals, (3) groups, (4) organisations, (5) businesses, or (6) bodies, will be supported by the new co-operative development unit.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My department is working across Government to deliver our manifesto commitment to double the size of the co-operative and mutuals sector, following the commitment to establish a Co-operatives Development Unit in Protecting What Matters and the Pride in Place Strategy. We will set out more details in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, under the new National Planning Policy Framework, where an authority does not have a five-year supply or scores below 75 per cent in its most recent Housing Delivery Test, under what conditions a need for additional housing would outweigh the requirement for affordable housing as defined in national or Mayoral policies, or those of the relevant authority.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to question UIN HL2868 .

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are continuing to enter into contracts with Arconic for the supply of cladding panels.

Answered by Baroness Blake of Leeds - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government remains committed to holding organisations to account for the failings identified by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Officials across Government continue to consider what further commercial measures may be appropriate while safeguarding the integrity of the criminal investigation. MHCLG does not enter into direct contracts with Arconic for the supply of cladding panels.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 19 June 2026 to Question 8783, and of 18 June 2026, to Question 8574, on MHCLG: Staff, how many assigned desks are there in (a) the London HQ office and (b) each regional office.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

It has been the practice of successive governments not to comment, on grounds of both national security and staff safety, on the physical capacity or staffing numbers for individual buildings of the government estate.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the letter entitled Local government reorganisation: programme review and decisions withdrawal letter to council leaders, published on 7 September 2026, whether the Department will publish all non-privileged correspondence relating to the decision to establish five unitary authorities in Essex and the subsequent decision to withdraw that decision.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 7 September 2026, the Secretary of State announced that decisions taken for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk would be withdrawn and that implementation of other local government reorganisation decisions would be paused while the Government considers next steps.

It is a longstanding principle that the Government does not comment on or publish legal advice. The Government does not routinely publish correspondence relating to ministerial decision-making.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the statement on Local Government Reorganisation of 7 September 2026, what factors, other than legal advice received as part of the judicial review process, contributed to the decision to withdraw the decision on local government reorganisation in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 7 September 2026, the Secretary of State announced that decisions taken for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk would be withdrawn and that implementation of other local government reorganisation decisions would be paused while the Government considers next steps.

It is a longstanding principle that the Government does not comment on or publish legal advice. The Government does not routinely publish correspondence relating to ministerial decision-making.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Review of local government reorganisation launched, published on 7 September 2026, if she will outline a summary of the substantive grounds for which the Department's decision-making deemed to be unlawful, without disclosing the legal advice.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 7 September 2026, the Secretary of State announced that decisions taken for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk would be withdrawn and that implementation of other local government reorganisation decisions would be paused while the Government considers next steps. It is a longstanding principle that the Government does not comment on or publish legal advice.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of having a civic centre in every market town.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This Government recognises that too many neighbourhoods, including in market towns, have been let down by broken promises of renewal, resulting in the loss of valued community assets and the decline of local high streets.

The Department has not made a specific assessment of the merits of having a civic centre in every market town. However, through our wider work to regenerate town centres and strengthen communities, we are supporting places to invest in the civic and community assets that best meet local needs. Our Pride in Place programme is empowering local people to shape the future of their neighbourhood. Supported by up to £5.8 billion in funding for 284 places across the country, Neighbourhood Boards are working with residents to deliver improvements that improve public spaces and create thriving communities.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 4161, on Government departments: marketing, how much has been spent on branded goods and merchandise by each of her Department's Arm’s Length Bodies since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter was sent; on what items, and at what cost.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have not procured any corporate-branded or non-essential merchandise. We do not collate centrally how much arm’s length bodies have spent on these products.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2026, to Question 4161, on Government departments: marketing, how much has been spend on branded goods and merchandise by the Department since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter was sent; on what items; and at what cost.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have not procured any corporate-branded or non-essential merchandise. We do not collate centrally how much arm’s length bodies have spent on these products.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the overnight visitor levy be applied to homeless people living in hotels provided for temporary accommodation.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The visitor levy will apply to short-term, commercially let overnight accommodation. National exemptions will apply to non-commercial accommodation or land uses. This includes Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites, temporary accommodation, and charitable accommodation for shelter or refuge.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 30 June 2026 to Question 11665 on Local Government: Reorganisation, whether (a) borough and (b) city status can be transferred to (i) a (A) town and (B) parish council and (ii) Charter Trustees in the absence of a parished body; and whether the geographical areas must be the same as the predecessor local authority with that status.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring ceremonial rights and privileges are maintained where local government reorganisation proposals are taken forward, and there are established mechanisms for doing so.

Many ceremonial matters can be preserved through existing general regulations, including arrangements for the transfer of aldermanic rights and privileges and historic borough status, where appropriate, from predecessor to successor councils. This is distinct from new unitary councils seeking borough status, which would require a resolution supported by not less than two thirds of members voting before a petition for a Royal Charter is submitted to the Privy Council. City status is more complex, as it is granted by Royal Prerogative, and arrangements to preserve it will depend on the circumstances of each area. The Government has committed to work with local leaders to ensure all ceremonial rights, including city status, are maintained through reorganisation.

The position on armorial bearings requires separate consideration. The Department is engaging with the College of Arms, which is considering options for arrangements following local government reorganisation. The Department will consider the College’s advice as this work progresses.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 30 June 2026, to Question 11665, on Local Government: Reorganisation, what steps is the Government taking to facilitate the continuation of (a) City and (b) Lord Mayor status where it was previously been awarded to a council that is being replaced by a new unitary council.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring ceremonial rights and privileges are maintained where local government reorganisation proposals are taken forward, and there are established mechanisms for doing so.

Many ceremonial matters can be preserved through existing general regulations, including arrangements for the transfer of aldermanic rights and privileges and historic borough status, where appropriate, from predecessor to successor councils. This is distinct from new unitary councils seeking borough status, which would require a resolution supported by not less than two thirds of members voting before a petition for a Royal Charter is submitted to the Privy Council. City status is more complex, as it is granted by Royal Prerogative, and arrangements to preserve it will depend on the circumstances of each area. The Government has committed to work with local leaders to ensure all ceremonial rights, including city status, are maintained through reorganisation.

The position on armorial bearings requires separate consideration. The Department is engaging with the College of Arms, which is considering options for arrangements following local government reorganisation. The Department will consider the College’s advice as this work progresses.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2026 to Question 11665 on Local Government: Reorganisation, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the continued recognition of (a) aldermen and (b) freemen following local government restructuring; and what guidance her Department has issued on this matter.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring ceremonial rights and privileges are maintained where local government reorganisation proposals are taken forward, and there are established mechanisms for doing so.

Many ceremonial matters can be preserved through existing general regulations, including arrangements for the transfer of aldermanic rights and privileges and historic borough status, where appropriate, from predecessor to successor councils. This is distinct from new unitary councils seeking borough status, which would require a resolution supported by not less than two thirds of members voting before a petition for a Royal Charter is submitted to the Privy Council. City status is more complex, as it is granted by Royal Prerogative, and arrangements to preserve it will depend on the circumstances of each area. The Government has committed to work with local leaders to ensure all ceremonial rights, including city status, are maintained through reorganisation.

The position on armorial bearings requires separate consideration. The Department is engaging with the College of Arms, which is considering options for arrangements following local government reorganisation. The Department will consider the College’s advice as this work progresses.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take to facilitate the transfer of armorial bearings from district and county councils to the new unitary authorities.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring ceremonial rights and privileges are maintained where local government reorganisation proposals are taken forward, and there are established mechanisms for doing so.

Many ceremonial matters can be preserved through existing general regulations, including arrangements for the transfer of aldermanic rights and privileges and historic borough status, where appropriate, from predecessor to successor councils. This is distinct from new unitary councils seeking borough status, which would require a resolution supported by not less than two thirds of members voting before a petition for a Royal Charter is submitted to the Privy Council. City status is more complex, as it is granted by Royal Prerogative, and arrangements to preserve it will depend on the circumstances of each area. The Government has committed to work with local leaders to ensure all ceremonial rights, including city status, are maintained through reorganisation.

The position on armorial bearings requires separate consideration. The Department is engaging with the College of Arms, which is considering options for arrangements following local government reorganisation. The Department will consider the College’s advice as this work progresses.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the council tax surcharge will be levied on HMOs not subdivided into individual dwellings; and whether there will be any exemption.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government has consulted on the surcharge, including the treatment of different property types and possible exemptions and will publish a response in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of housing support available to people leaving prison who have engaged extensively with rehabilitation programmes; and whether her Department plans to review guidance to local housing authorities on the eligibility of reformed offenders for access to social housing.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As part of our National Plan to End Homelessness, we outlined our ambition that no one should leave a public institution into homelessness.

My department is working with the Ministry of Justice to embed partnerships to strengthen pre-release planning and cross-agency work at local levels where it will have the greatest impact. The Ministry of Justice is also committed to continuing investment in its Community Accommodation Service to provide transitional accommodation for those at risk of homelessness on release. That support is alongside my department’s record investment of more than £4 billion in homelessness and rough sleeping over the next three years.

Our National Plan also announced work to update statutory guidance on social housing allocations to ensure that they reflect local need and effectively support vulnerable households.

The review of social housing allocations guidance will consider qualification rules for social housing and how allocation schemes are framed and managed. We are gathering evidence from local authorities, housing providers and other stakeholders, and aim to consult on the updated guidance in early 2027.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions she has had with a) retailers, b) parking operators and c) local authorities on the appropriate use of parent and child parking spaces.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Parent and child bays are not prescribed or required by national legislation. The Department has made no assessment of the adequacy of parent and child parking spaces, or measures to prevent their misuse, in local authority or private car parks.

The provision of parent and child parking bays in private car parks is a matter for the operator. The government is aware of the enforcement challenges to prevent the misuse of these bays. Whilst there have been no recent discussions with retailers on this matter, the government will continue to work closely with representatives for local authorities and parking operators.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of enforcement measures used by private car park operators to prevent the misuse of parent and child parking bays.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Parent and child bays are not prescribed or required by national legislation. The Department has made no assessment of the adequacy of parent and child parking spaces, or measures to prevent their misuse, in local authority or private car parks.

The provision of parent and child parking bays in private car parks is a matter for the operator. The government is aware of the enforcement challenges to prevent the misuse of these bays. Whilst there have been no recent discussions with retailers on this matter, the government will continue to work closely with representatives for local authorities and parking operators.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the current arrangements for parent and child parking spaces in public car parks.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Parent and child bays are not prescribed or required by national legislation. The Department has made no assessment of the adequacy of parent and child parking spaces, or measures to prevent their misuse, in local authority or private car parks.

The provision of parent and child parking bays in private car parks is a matter for the operator. The government is aware of the enforcement challenges to prevent the misuse of these bays. Whilst there have been no recent discussions with retailers on this matter, the government will continue to work closely with representatives for local authorities and parking operators.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of the number and proportion of rough sleepers in (a) London and (b) England who are foreign nationals.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government publishes rough sleeping management information, including data on the nationality of people sleeping rough, how many people sleeping rough have left the armed forces within the last 85 days and the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who have moved into accommodation, as well as the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who had previously moved into settled accommodation. You can access the latest data on gov.uk here.

As well as this, the government’s analytical annex to our National Plan to End Homelessness includes research about the causes of rough sleeping, which you can find on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what data the Department holds on the number and proportion of rough sleepers who are British Citizens.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government publishes rough sleeping management information, including data on the nationality of people sleeping rough, how many people sleeping rough have left the armed forces within the last 85 days and the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who have moved into accommodation, as well as the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who had previously moved into settled accommodation. You can access the latest data on gov.uk here.

As well as this, the government’s analytical annex to our National Plan to End Homelessness includes research about the causes of rough sleeping, which you can find on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what data the Department holds on the average length of time people spend sleeping rough before securing settled accommodation.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government publishes rough sleeping management information, including data on the nationality of people sleeping rough, how many people sleeping rough have left the armed forces within the last 85 days and the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who have moved into accommodation, as well as the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who had previously moved into settled accommodation. You can access the latest data on gov.uk here.

As well as this, the government’s analytical annex to our National Plan to End Homelessness includes research about the causes of rough sleeping, which you can find on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of people rough sleeping in England.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government publishes rough sleeping management information, including data on the nationality of people sleeping rough, how many people sleeping rough have left the armed forces within the last 85 days and the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who have moved into accommodation, as well as the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who had previously moved into settled accommodation. You can access the latest data on gov.uk here.

As well as this, the government’s analytical annex to our National Plan to End Homelessness includes research about the causes of rough sleeping, which you can find on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information her Department holds on the citizenship of rough sleepers.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government publishes rough sleeping management information, including data on the nationality of people sleeping rough, how many people sleeping rough have left the armed forces within the last 85 days and the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who have moved into accommodation, as well as the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who had previously moved into settled accommodation. You can access the latest data on gov.uk here.

As well as this, the government’s analytical annex to our National Plan to End Homelessness includes research about the causes of rough sleeping, which you can find on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what data the Department holds on the number of people sleeping rough who have previously served in the Armed Forces.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government publishes rough sleeping management information, including data on the nationality of people sleeping rough, how many people sleeping rough have left the armed forces within the last 85 days and the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who have moved into accommodation, as well as the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who had previously moved into settled accommodation. You can access the latest data on gov.uk here.

As well as this, the government’s analytical annex to our National Plan to End Homelessness includes research about the causes of rough sleeping, which you can find on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent analysis has been made of the potential causes of rough sleeping in England.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government publishes rough sleeping management information, including data on the nationality of people sleeping rough, how many people sleeping rough have left the armed forces within the last 85 days and the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who have moved into accommodation, as well as the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who had previously moved into settled accommodation. You can access the latest data on gov.uk here.

As well as this, the government’s analytical annex to our National Plan to End Homelessness includes research about the causes of rough sleeping, which you can find on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish the number of accessible properties that are (a) temporary accommodation (b) emergency accommodation and (c) social housing available through each local authority in the South East.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Temporary accommodation must be appropriate to the needs of the household, which includes accessibility needs.

MHCLG does not hold data on the number of accessible properties that are temporary accommodation, emergency accommodation or social housing available through local authorities in the South East.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written statement of 20 May 2026, HCWS51, on Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report Update, which organisations are subject to the policy of not sharing a public platform; and whether this is a policy of non-engagement under the 2024 engagement principles.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to taking clear and proportionate action in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s findings.

The Public Engagement Policy and which companies it applies to is published on GOV.UK. Ministers and senior civil servants will decide how and when they engage with external bodies bearing in mind the principles of accountability, transparency and the balance of public interest.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the revised statutory Private Parking Code of Practice will include guidance on the fair use of ANPR technology.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Code will set out the minimum standards that private parking operators must adhere to. The government intends to lay the Private Parking Code of Practice in Parliament in autumn 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that children in deprived communities have equal access to quality play opportunities.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.

The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.

The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of local authority funding for the maintenance of a) public parks and b) green spaces.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises that parks and green spaces can make a significant contribution to public health and community wellbeing by supporting physical activity, improving mental health, strengthening social connections, promoting community cohesion and pride in place, and delivering wider environmental benefits. We are therefore committed to supporting Local Authorities in developing best practice to manage parks and green spaces.

Responsibility for funding, managing and maintaining these assets rests primarily with local authorities, and spending decisions are a matter for them. The 2026-27 Local Government Finance Settlement is our most significant step yet to make English local government more sustainable. We are delivering fairer funding, targeting money where it is needed most through the first multi-year Settlement in a decade. By the end of the multi-year Settlement (2028-29), the Government will have provided a 15.5% increase in Core Spending Power for local authorities in England, worth over £11.4 billion, compared to 2025-26. The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement is unringfenced recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of public parks and green spaces on public health and community wellbeing.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises that parks and green spaces can make a significant contribution to public health and community wellbeing by supporting physical activity, improving mental health, strengthening social connections, promoting community cohesion and pride in place, and delivering wider environmental benefits. We are therefore committed to supporting Local Authorities in developing best practice to manage parks and green spaces.

Responsibility for funding, managing and maintaining these assets rests primarily with local authorities, and spending decisions are a matter for them. The 2026-27 Local Government Finance Settlement is our most significant step yet to make English local government more sustainable. We are delivering fairer funding, targeting money where it is needed most through the first multi-year Settlement in a decade. By the end of the multi-year Settlement (2028-29), the Government will have provided a 15.5% increase in Core Spending Power for local authorities in England, worth over £11.4 billion, compared to 2025-26. The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement is unringfenced recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the condition of public playground equipment owned by local authorities.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises the importance of safe, high-quality playgrounds for children and families. Responsibility for the provision, inspection, maintenance and management of local authority-owned playgrounds rests with individual local authorities, which are best placed to assess local needs and priorities. My department does not currently plan to issue guidance on these matters but will keep this under review in the usual course of business.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to issue guidance to local authorities on removing restrictions on children's active play, including ball games.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises the importance of safe, high-quality playgrounds for children and families. Responsibility for the provision, inspection, maintenance and management of local authority-owned playgrounds rests with individual local authorities, which are best placed to assess local needs and priorities. My department does not currently plan to issue guidance on these matters but will keep this under review in the usual course of business.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department issues guidance on (a) inspection and (b) maintenance standards for local authority-owned playgrounds.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises the importance of safe, high-quality playgrounds for children and families. Responsibility for the provision, inspection, maintenance and management of local authority-owned playgrounds rests with individual local authorities, which are best placed to assess local needs and priorities. My department does not currently plan to issue guidance on these matters but will keep this under review in the usual course of business.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the number of children who do not have access to a high-quality playground within walking distance of their home.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.

The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.

The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of children’s access to a public playground within walking distance of their home.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.

The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.

The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the availability of accessible and inclusive playground equipment for children with disabilities.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.

The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.

The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to reduce geographic inequalities in access to playgrounds and play opportunities.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.

The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.

The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the provision of public playgrounds in England.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.

The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.

The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what mechanisms exist to protect motorists from excessive charges imposed by private parking companies; and whether the Government plans to strengthen those protections.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Private parking operators are currently self-regulated through their membership of either the British Parking Association or International Parking Community. These trade associations require their members to follow the Sector Single Code of Practice, which places a cap on private parking charges.

The government is committed to raising standards and intends to lay a new Code of Practice for private parking operators, replacing the Sector Single Code of Practice, in Parliament in autumn 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support youth organisations, such as YMCA England and Wales, to develop and deliver affordable and supported housing for young people.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have invested over £1 billion in homelessness and rough sleeping services this year, which can be used flexibly to address a range of local needs, including support for young people. The Spending Review protects this record level of investment to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping for the next three years.

For young people ready to live independently, we are delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation, backed by the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme. We are also reforming the private rented sector to give more security to tenants, bringing an end to rental bidding, outlawing discrimination against prospective tenants with children or those who receive social security benefits; and preventing landlords from demanding large amounts of rent in advance.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the comments by the Minister of 2 September 2026, Official Report, Columns 340 and 342, on the Representation of the People Bill, what are the terms of reference for the Government task and finish team; when will it report by; whether the report will be laid before Parliament; and who are the members of the team.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that the UK's political finance framework remains robust and commands public confidence.

We are establishing a cross-government task and finish team to consider the issues threatening UK democracy, including political funding, illegitimate influence, and broader threats to political equality.

Further details will be available in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to introduce a cap on charges and associated debt recovery fees imposed by private parking companies; and what assessment she has made of the impact of such charges on consumers.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

In July 2025, the government published a consultation document including parking charges and debt recovery fee caps. The government aims to publish a response alongside the new Code, which it is aiming to lay before Parliament in autumn 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans are there to evaluate the success of the homelessness strategy.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Monitoring delivery of the strategy is important in ensuring the strategy has its intended impact. That is why we set national targets to track progress against this parliament. More details can be found in this published action plan: Cross-Government Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy: Action Plan.

Ministers are updated regularly on data and are working across government through inter-departmental governance to assure collaborative delivery of the strategy. We will also publish reports at least every two years that monitor progress on the implementation of measures set out in this strategy.

In addition, we intend to evaluate the implementation of the strategy at a local level, building on current work being undertaken this year as part of the systems-wide evaluation being delivered by the Centre for Homelessness Impact.

Found: better suited to answer specific questions, and that responsibility for certain areas lie within MHCLG

Found: technical education, Level 3 entitlements and underpinning data systems  Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: Home Secretary, what are you doing in relation to having that relationship with colleagues in MHCLG

Found: In the bigger picture, given all these changes, we know that local growth is in MHCLG now, so where

Found: In the bigger picture, given all these changes, we know that local growth is in MHCLG now, so where

Found: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Found: In the bigger picture, given all these changes, we know that local growth is in MHCLG now, so where

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of fires caused by disposable barbecues in Dorset in each of the last five years.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Information on fires caused by barbecues is published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (table FIRE0602) and can be filtered by Fire and Rescue Authority area, including Dorset. Data on fires specifically caused by disposable barbecues is not included, but data collection is being improved through the Fire and Rescue Data Platform.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the MHCLG statistics work programme, 27 August 2026, what the household level council tax data collected by the Office for National Statistics is that MHCLG does not collect.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 11th September is attached.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2026, to Question 18049, on Government Departments: Greater Manchester, and to the answer of 14 July 2026, to Question 14979, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned Arts Council staff at The Hive, 51 Lever St, Manchester M1 1FN in the most recent working week for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace and in absolute terms.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Arts Council England has 350 staff assigned to The Hive, 51 Lever Street. In the most recent week for which working figures are available, 7 September 2026, attendance was reported at 59% of Manchester based staff, over the course of the week.

ACE offers hybrid working and does not mandate a fixed number of office days each week but does encourage in office days for training, team and away days. Due to the nature of their work, staff are also regularly meeting with artists and arts organisations.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the Answer of 11 March 2026, to Question 110793, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Flexible Working, how many and what proportion of full-time staff on full pay (1.0 FTE) in (a) her Department and (b) Crown Prosecution Service work compressed hours over a four day week.

Answered by Andy Slaughter - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

The tables below contain data for the Attorney General's Office (AGO) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) relevant to the question.

AGO

CPS

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2026, to Question 18049, on Government Departments: Greater Manchester, and to the answer of 14 July 2026, to Question 14979, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned ACAS staff at 3 Piccadilly Place 3 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 3BN in the most recent working week for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace and in absolute terms.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

Acas do not collect data in a way that enables us to determine the average percentage attendance rate for our estate. 162 staff are assigned to the Manchester office at 3 Piccadilly Place. During the period 7 to 11 September 2026 Acas recorded 96 attendance instances, but we cannot verify how many individuals that equates to. The current Acas office attendance expectation is that employees attend an Acas office, or undertake qualifying off-site work e.g. delivering off site training, for an average of 20% of their working time, subject to any agreed workplace adjustments or flexible working arrangements.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding her Department has provided to Portsmouth City Council over the past two years for domestic abuse services and to tackle violence against women and girls.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office has allocated funding to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to tackle domestic abuse.

• £953,781 across financial years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to the Police and Crime Commissioner, through the Domestic Abuse Stalking and Perpetrator Intervention Fund which funds Police and Crime Commissioners to commission domestic abuse and stalking perpetrator interventions in their local area,
• Funding through the rollout of the Drive Project. This involves intensive monitoring, disruption tactics and behavioural interventions to prevent perpetrators from re-offending and to keep victims safe from harm; and
• Funding to embed independent domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms as part of ‘Raneem's Law’, including Hampshire Police.

The Home Office has not provided funding directly to Portsmouth City Council for tackling domestic abuse and violence against women and girls (VAWG)over the last two years.

In addition, the Home Office launched a £74.5 million multi-year funding competition for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in June 2026, for Domestic Abuse and Stalking Perpetrator Interventions to reduce re-offending, providing funding to local police force areas.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will invest nearly £500 million into local authorities to provide support in safe accommodation to victims of domestic abuse over the next three years.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when her department plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. member for Newton Abbot sent on the 31st of July 2026 under case ref MW17484.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The correspondence has been transferred to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as it has policy responsibility for the issue. It will respond directly.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 13604 answered on 2 July 2026 on Fires, what discussions she has had with executive agencies and ALBs about the effectiveness of wildfire management plans in the context of effective mitigations during the large-scale wildfires in Summer 2026.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Land managers have an important role in assessing and managing wildfire risk. Defra is supporting land managers to manage risk and put in place proportionate wildfire management plans, reflecting local risks and circumstances. These plans may include considerations of risk, control measures and monitoring mechanisms.

Defra officials are working with ALBs to ensure an aligned and coherent approach to wildfire policy. Defra’s agencies have a central role in resilience and preparedness, and officials in Defra’s agencies are working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Defra to ensure an aligned and coherent approach to wildfire policy. The Forestry Commission supports wildfire resilience through forest and land management, risk assessment and operational preparedness, and Natural England provides evidence-based advice on environmental impacts, habitat management and nature recovery, including burning licence applications.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2026, to Question 18049, on Government Departments: Greater Manchester, and to the answer of 14 July 2026, to Question 14979, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned National Lottery Community Fund staff at (a) Rodwell Tower Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2HY and (b) The Hive, 51 Lever St, Manchester M1 1FN in the most recent working week for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace and in absolute terms.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The National Lottery Community Fund (‘TNLCF’) does not have any staff at Rodwell Tower Piccadilly.

TNLCF has 47 staff assigned to The Hive, 51 Lever Street. In the most recent working week for which figures were available, 21 desk bookings were recorded. This is equivalent to an average of 44.7% of the 47 assigned staff attending the local office during that week.

This figure is based on desk booking data, which is the only attendance measure currently captured. Meeting rooms at the site are also used but are not subject to the same data collection. Total attendance at the local office may, therefore, be higher than desk bookings alone suggest.

As a community funder, with an intentionally place-based and distributed workforce model, staff being assigned to an office does not equate to an expectation that they will attend five days a week. TNLCF encourages its staff to work within the communities they serve, to better connect with and understand the places that they work.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what responsibility No10 North has for economic policy, and what specific responsibilities previously held by HM Treasury have been transferred to No10 North.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

The Prime Minister established No10 North on the first day of the new administration, including the transfer of local economic growth and devolution strategy from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and local economic growth policy from HM Treasury, with these arrangements confirmed in a statement published on 22 July.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will provide a copy of risk assessments or feasibility assessments prepared for the housing of migrants at RAF Barnham.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

No final decision has been made as to whether to use MOD Barnham for asylum accommodation.

Large sites (such as former MOD sites) offer a sustainable solution for housing asylum seekers. Accommodation on former military sites is designed to be largely self-sufficient, with essential services being provided on site to minimise impacts on the local community and upon local services and offer better longer-term value for money. They reduce pressure on communities whilst also giving us greater oversight and control at critical points in the asylum decision making process.

The Home Office routinely undertakes due diligence when considering potential accommodation sites. Suitability assessments are ongoing and will consider a range of factors including safety, security, operational deliverability, planning requirement and the impact on local services and communities.

Throughout the development of potential accommodation sites, information is managed in accordance with normal government requirements, including obligations relating to security, commercial sensitivity, policy development and procurement activity where applicable.

The Home Office has submitted an Urgent Crown Development application to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in relation to the proposed use of MOD Barnham for asylum accommodation. Documents may be released in due course as part of that process.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answers of 7 September 2026 to Question 19361 on Public Appointments: Equality and of 8 September 2026 to Question 20975 on Civil Service Recruitment, whether the socio-economic background of an applicant is a material consideration or determining factor in the appointment process for civil servants through the (a) Civil Service Masterclass and (b) the listed Going Forward into Employment recruitment schemes.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Socio-economic background is one of the considerations that determines whether individuals can apply for the Going Forward into Employment pathways listed below.

• DCMS Learn & Grow Pathway

• DWP Social Mobility Apprenticeship

• Crown Prosecution Service Diversifying CPS Careers

• MHCLG Masterclass Pathway (sometimes referred to as the Civil Service Masterclass)

• Home Office Pathway to Employment

More information on GFiE Pathway opportunities for people from Low Social Mobility Backgrounds can be found on the GFiE Civil Service Careers site: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/gfie-pathways/#social-mobility. This site is visible in the public domain.

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Found: whether Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC), the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: Heat resilience and sustainable cooling: Government Response to the Committee’s Fifth Report 17 MHCLG

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Found: statistics draw on data collected for the English Housing Survey conducted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: The updates include: • Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) local authority

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Found: 0.00564269721517944 52.7214188373558 2.49038350672441 -16.6338831626442 -0.183748441542279 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: 0.012910473412452207 90.525302 0.006912938979058259 73.8914188373558 0.0056426972151794276 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

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Found: awarded: £70,000 Fund priority area: General This project develops evaluation approaches for two MHCLG-funded

Found: Natural England, MHCLG and Defra have recently published guidance on using the Nature Restoration Levy

Found: Work led by MHCLG to address them is ongoing.

Found: local stakeholders as well as other government departments, such as the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government

Found: the 2025 Spending Review, £43m per annum has been provided by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

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Found: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – the sponsor department for RSH – has lowered

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Found: Individual material types will reference to the guidance published by MHCLG, formerly known as the DLUHC

Found: This release will support the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) and Welsh Government

Found: invite You should aim for a mix of participants from across the BSR and - if appropriate - from MHCLG

Found: awarded: £70,000 Fund priority area: General This project develops evaluation approaches for two MHCLG-funded

Found: manage the application process and make investment recommendations to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: The NDA Group is working with DESNZ and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: Natural England, MHCLG and Defra have recently published guidance on using the Nature Restoration Levy

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