Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Levels of homelessness and rough sleeping are far too high. That is why we have published a National Plan to End Homelessness, made homelessness prevention a core pillar of that plan, and increased funding for homelessness and rough sleeping services to a record £4 billion over the next three years.

The Government has not made an estimate of the costs leaseholders face for defects that fall outside the scope of the Developer Remediation Contract.

However, leaseholders can benefit from protections under the Building Safety Act 2022, which limit or prevent many historical building safety remediation costs from being passed on to qualifying leaseholders. Where costs are not covered by the Contract, it may also be possible to pursue developers, landlords or associated companies through Remediation Contribution Orders or other redress measures established by the Act.

Further to the answer to Question UIN HL7178 on 15 May 2025, the Government's position remains that individuals who are legally resident and registered to vote in devolved and local elections in Scotland and Wales are permissible donors under the existing political finance framework

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

No specific assessments have been made of the effectiveness of building control inspection arrangements in securing compliance with Part H of the Building Regulations 2010 in respect of foul and surface water drainage connections. The Building Control Independent Panel (BCIP) made several recommendations to the Government on how to improve the building control process, including regarding mandatory inspection points, and the Government intends to a provide a full response to the list of recommendations made in the BCIP final report in due course. We have already made £55 million available to support the building of capacity in the building control workforce. My officials are taking steps to assess the effectiveness of the pre-application process, the approved plans process, and the effectiveness of building control inspections for ensuring compliance with Part H, as well as investigating the effectiveness of s.59 of the Building Act 1984. It is important to note that responsibility for compliance with the building regulations remains with the person carrying out building work, even where a completion or final certificate has been provided.

Existing electoral law provides protections against undue influence, intimidation and interference with the secrecy of the ballot, including measures strengthened by the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023 to address so-called ‘family voting’. Returning Officers regularly work with the police to assess known risks at individual polling stations and make appropriate arrangements. Decisions on the deployment of police officers are operational matters for individual police forces.

The Government values the views of stakeholders and will continue to engage with political parties as we develop and implement reforms to electoral law and political finance. We have maintained ongoing engagement with political parties through the Electoral Commission’s Parliamentary Parties Panel.

The Department has engaged with local authorities and youth homelessness sector organisations in the development of the new youth chapter in the Homelessness Code of Guidance and the youth homelessness prevention toolkit. The new youth chapter was published on 30 September 2026 and is available here.

We intend to publish the youth homelessness prevention toolkit in due course. In developing the toolkit, the Department has also engaged with young people with lived experience of homelessness to ensure the toolkit is informed by their experiences and insights.

The Department has engaged with local authorities and youth homelessness sector organisations in the development of the new youth chapter in the Homelessness Code of Guidance and the youth homelessness prevention toolkit. The new youth chapter was published on 30 September 2026 and is available here.

We intend to publish the youth homelessness prevention toolkit in due course. In developing the toolkit, the Department has also engaged with young people with lived experience of homelessness to ensure the toolkit is informed by their experiences and insights.

The Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund was established to support voluntary, community and faith sector organisations delivering homelessness and rough sleeping services, with an annual income below £5 million.

This eligibility criterion was set out in the published prospectus and applied consistently to all applicants.

The Department has not made a specific assessment of the impact of this requirement on charities whose income includes Housing Benefit received in connection with supported accommodation. Eligibility was assessed against an organisation's overall annual income as reported in its financial accounts.

The Government is committed to supporting disabled people to live independently and safely in their homes.

Temporary accommodation provided under homelessness duties must be suitable, which includes meeting the needs of disabled members of the household.

Local authorities are responsible for administering the Disabled Facilities Grant in their area and have considerable discretion in how they manage the funding. Providing statutory duties are met, local areas can choose to invest in other social capital projects such as improving accessibility of temporary accommodation, in line with Better Care Funds plans, and their assessment of how best to support local disabled people.

Local authorities must ensure that temporary accommodation is suitable for applicants and members of their household, taking account of their needs, requirements, circumstances and the location of the accommodation.

The Homelessness Code of Guidance, which can be found here, encourages housing authorities to give careful consideration to applicants who wish to retain their pet. Local authorities do their upmost to try and accommodate this, however not all types of temporary or emergency accommodation are suitable for pets, as there may be limited facilities and space available.

Recognising the importance of pets, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduced an implied term into private sector assured tenancies, that enables tenants to ask the landlord for permission to keep a pet, and when they do so consent cannot be unreasonably refused.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 12 June 2026 to Question 6801.

Justice Impact Tests are internal government documents which are not usually published by government.

Due to the quasi-judicial role of MHCLG Ministers in the planning system, I am unable to comment on the details of specific planning applications or proposals.

The government intends to publish revised Planning Practice Guidance for Housing and Economic Needs Assessment in due course.

I otherwise refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided on 16 October 2026 in response to Question HL3809.

We are continuing to implement the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023, which will give local authorities increased powers to tackle poor-quality supported housing providers, while protecting residents and supporting the many good providers who deliver high-quality accommodation and support. This includes introducing a locally led licensing regime and national support standards.

We will publish guidance for local authorities on licensing and support.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.

It is a longstanding principle that the Government does not publish or comment on legal advice.

It is a longstanding principle that the Government does not publish or comment on legal advice.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to policies L1 and L2 of the new National Planning Policy Framework published on 17 August.

The Government has already taken action to reform the local government funding system. Following the Fair Funding Review 2.0, we set out the methodology underpinning the 2026-27 to 2028-29 multi-year Local Government Finance Settlement, introducing a fairer, evidence-based approach that better reflects local needs and resources. As with all elements of the Local Government Finance Settlement, we will keep the methodology under review in future years.

The first testing phase of the AI augmented planning decisions prototype, which was undertaken in three local planning authorities (LPAs), produced promising results. A control group was not used. Testing has now progressed to 12 further LPAs.

The government's approach remains exploratory and evidence-led, to ensure any future adoption is safe and ethical. No final decision has been made in respect of a national rollout.

Under the Housing Act 2004, local authorities are required to make their licensing registers available for inspection to the public.

They must also provide a certified copy of their registers (or individual entry/entries from it) to anyone who requests it, subject to the payment of a fee.

We encourage local authorities to consider accessibility requirements in meeting these duties and to ensure that any fees charged for this are reasonable and proportionate.

There is no requirement for local authorities to publish their licensing registers. Where they choose to do so, they should consider any interactions with data protection legislation in respect of personal data contained within those registers.

The government keeps licensing regulations under review.

Under the Housing Act 2004, local authorities are required to make their licensing registers available for inspection to the public.

They must also provide a certified copy of their registers (or individual entry/entries from it) to anyone who requests it, subject to the payment of a fee.

We encourage local authorities to consider accessibility requirements in meeting these duties and to ensure that any fees charged for this are reasonable and proportionate.

There is no requirement for local authorities to publish their licensing registers. Where they choose to do so, they should consider any interactions with data protection legislation in respect of personal data contained within those registers.

The government keeps licensing regulations under review.

Under the Housing Act 2004, local authorities are required to make their licensing registers available for inspection to the public.

They must also provide a certified copy of their registers (or individual entry/entries from it) to anyone who requests it, subject to the payment of a fee.

We encourage local authorities to consider accessibility requirements in meeting these duties and to ensure that any fees charged for this are reasonable and proportionate.

There is no requirement for local authorities to publish their licensing registers. Where they choose to do so, they should consider any interactions with data protection legislation in respect of personal data contained within those registers.

The government keeps licensing regulations under review.