Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is central to the mission-driven government, from fixing the foundations of an affordable home to handing power back to communities and rebuilding local governments.
Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Thornhill (LD - Life peer)Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Housing)
Baroness Pinnock (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Green Party
Ellie Chowns (Green - North Herefordshire)Green Spokesperson (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Conservative
James Cleverly (Con - Braintree)Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Liberal Democrat
Gideon Amos (LD - Taunton and Wellington)Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Housing and Communities)
Zöe Franklin (LD - Guildford)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Local Government)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
David Simmonds (Con - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)Shadow Minister (Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Lord Jamieson (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Gareth Bacon (Con - Orpington)
Shadow Minister (Housing and Planning)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Paul Holmes (Con - Hamble Valley)Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Ministers of State
Matthew Pennycook (Lab - Greenwich and Woolwich)Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Alison McGovern (Lab - Birkenhead)
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer)Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Samantha Dixon (Lab - Chester North and Neston)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Miatta Fahnbulleh (LAB - Peckham)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Public Bill Committees
11:15
The Government has introduced the Representation of the People Bill, which includes its manifesto commitment to lower the voting age …
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many and what proportion of unauthorised traveller …
Regulation 2 of these Regulations makes a number of changes to the Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) Regulations …
A Bill to Authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State …
13:13
News and Communications
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Commons Appearances
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:- Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
- Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
- Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.
Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Bills currently before Parliament
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government does not have Bills currently before Parliament
Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament
A Bill to make provision for expenditure by the Secretary of State and the removal of restrictions in respect of certain land for or in connection with the construction of a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 22nd January 2026 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision about infrastructure; to make provision about town and country planning; to make provision for a scheme, administered by Natural England, for a nature restoration levy payable by developers; to make provision about development corporations; to make provision about the compulsory purchase of land; to make provision about environmental outcomes reports; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 18th December 2025 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision changing the law about rented homes, including provision abolishing fixed term assured tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies; imposing obligations on landlords and others in relation to rented homes and temporary and supported accommodation; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 27th October 2025 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision for, and in connection with, the introduction of higher non-domestic rating multipliers as regards large business hereditaments, and lower non-domestic rating multipliers as regards retail, hospitality and leisure hereditaments, in England and for the removal of charitable relief from non-domestic rates for private schools in England.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 3rd April 2025 and was enacted into law.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - Secondary Legislation
Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
(5,173 in the last 7 days)
(100 in the last 7 days)
(52 in the last 7 days)
(38 in the last 7 days)
(5,173 in the last 7 days)
(100 in the last 7 days)
(52 in the last 7 days)
(38 in the last 7 days)
Departmental Select Committee
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.
At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.
Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.
0 Members of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee: 9 Current Inquiries
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee: Previous Inquiries
50 most recent Written Questions
(View all written questions)As set out in my response on 11 March, each of the 6 areas on the Devolution Priority Programme will receive a proportion of their investment fund to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground ahead of the mayors taking office. Per the standard procedures for government Departments, the funding originally earmarked for the full programme will be re-allocated, in this case for other local growth priorities.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
As is standard practice in government policy making, officials undertook limited and focused informal engagement with selected stakeholders as the government considered the advice submitted by the Working Group.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Social housing lettings data collected through the Continuous Recording (CORE) system focuses on the "lead tenant" (or Household Reference Person) in order to create accurate, consistent, and manageable demographic profiles of households, rather than trying to track every individual member. My Department has no current plans to amend commonly record data collected through the CORE system.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department consulted on changes to policy in respect of 5-year housing land supply as part of the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework that took place between 30 July and 24 September 2024. Paragraph 78c was introduced in the December 2024 National Planning Policy Framework update.
A government response, which can be found on gov.uk here, was published alongside the updated Framework. It made clear that there are many authorities whose local housing need figures will be substantially larger than their adopted or emerging local plan housing requirement figures, indicating a significant unmet demand for new homes in these areas. To help close the gap, we are introducing a new requirement that authorities with plans adopted under the old standard method must provide an extra year’s worth of homes in their 5-year housing pipeline.
As such, those authorities whose adopted plan annual housing requirement figure is 80% or less of their annual local housing need figure will be required to add a 20% buffer to their 5-year housing land supply from 1 July 2026. This window will give these authorities time to make provision for the new policy. As with other housing supply buffers, this will not be cumulative, so those authorities who are already required to add a 20% buffer due to scoring below 85% in the most recent housing delivery test will not be required to add an additional buffer should they meet these criteria.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 and the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) framework gives principal local authorities the power to dispose of land held by them in any manner they wish. Most local authorities will have and operate their own CAT policy, and as part of that framework they are obliged to publish a list of suitable assets and a process for communities to acquire them should they become available.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
On forfeiture reform, I refer the Noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement on 27 January 2026 (HLWS1278).
The government is committed to ensuring that those living in the rented and leasehold sectors are protected from abuse and poor service at the hands of unscrupulous property agents.
The previous government committed to regulate the property agent sector in 2018 and asked a working group Chaired by Lord Best to advise them how to do it, yet it failed to respond to their findings from 2019. We are looking again at Lord Best’s 2019 report on regulating the property agent sector, particularly in light of the recommendations in the final Grenfell Inquiry report.
On 4 July 2025, we launched a wide-ranging consultation on proposals to hold landlords and managing agents to account for the services they provide and the charges and fees they levy. This included a number of proposals recommended by Lord Best, including the introduction of mandatory qualifications for managing agents and estate managers on freehold estates. We are clear that this consultation is not the final step in the regulation of managing agents and we will continue to reflect on the various other recommendations made in the 2019 report.
The government’s recent home buying and selling reform consultation sought views on proposals to professionalise property agents, including introducing a code of practice setting out minimum standards for letting, estate and managing agents.
The government also proposed a future consultation on mandatory qualifications for letting and estate agents and, depending on the outcome, potential legislation in respect of this issue. The home buying and selling reform consultation closed on 29 December and we will publish a roadmap setting out further details later this year.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Lord Truscott
(Non-affiliated - Life peer)
On forfeiture reform, I refer the Noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement on 27 January 2026 (HLWS1278).
The government is committed to ensuring that those living in the rented and leasehold sectors are protected from abuse and poor service at the hands of unscrupulous property agents.
The previous government committed to regulate the property agent sector in 2018 and asked a working group Chaired by Lord Best to advise them how to do it, yet it failed to respond to their findings from 2019. We are looking again at Lord Best’s 2019 report on regulating the property agent sector, particularly in light of the recommendations in the final Grenfell Inquiry report.
On 4 July 2025, we launched a wide-ranging consultation on proposals to hold landlords and managing agents to account for the services they provide and the charges and fees they levy. This included a number of proposals recommended by Lord Best, including the introduction of mandatory qualifications for managing agents and estate managers on freehold estates. We are clear that this consultation is not the final step in the regulation of managing agents and we will continue to reflect on the various other recommendations made in the 2019 report.
The government’s recent home buying and selling reform consultation sought views on proposals to professionalise property agents, including introducing a code of practice setting out minimum standards for letting, estate and managing agents.
The government also proposed a future consultation on mandatory qualifications for letting and estate agents and, depending on the outcome, potential legislation in respect of this issue. The home buying and selling reform consultation closed on 29 December and we will publish a roadmap setting out further details later this year.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
My Department has not made such an assessment. Our National Planning Policy Framework sets out the strong protections in place for World Heritage Sites including their settings.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should ensure that new development is appropriate for its location, taking into account the likely effects (including cumulative effects) of pollution on the natural environment, as well as the potential sensitivity of the site or wider area to impacts that could arise from the development. In doing so they should limit the impact of light pollution from artificial light on local amenity, intrinsically dark landscapes and nature conservation.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to pollution. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
On-farm reservoirs which are necessary for agricultural purposes can be developed under a nationally set permitted development right. Guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/when-is-permission-required.
We intend to update the guidance in the coming months.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the paragraphs 103-105 of the Secretary of State’s decision letter which can be found on gov.uk here.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
On 13 November 2025, the government published a roadmap for implementing the Renters' Rights Act, which can be found on gov.uk here.
In implementation Phase 2 from late 2026, we will introduce the national Private Rented Sector Database and Private Rented Sector Ombudsman.
Prior to the establishment of the new service, if a tenant thinks their landlord has unreasonably refused a request to rent with a pet, they will be able to challenge the decision in court.
My Department has made no specific assessment of the impact on tenants of the period between 1 May 2026 and when the new service will be available.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
On 13 November 2025, the government published a roadmap for implementing the Renters' Rights Act, which can be found on gov.uk here.
In implementation Phase 2 from late 2026, we will introduce the national Private Rented Sector Database and Private Rented Sector Ombudsman.
Prior to the establishment of the new service, if a tenant thinks their landlord has unreasonably refused a request to rent with a pet, they will be able to challenge the decision in court.
My Department has made no specific assessment of the impact on tenants of the period between 1 May 2026 and when the new service will be available.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the information requested.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the information requested.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the information requested.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Available social housing lettings data is not broken down by the nationality of the lead tenant and whether they are in receipt of housing-related benefits, or a lead tenant’s formal immigration status.
The number of new social housing lettings allocated to households who self-report as refugees can be found in the ‘Social Housing Lettings’ statistics tables 3p and 3pi on gov.uk here.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Available social housing lettings data is not broken down by the nationality of the lead tenant and whether they are in receipt of housing-related benefits, or a lead tenant’s formal immigration status.
The number of new social housing lettings allocated to households who self-report as refugees can be found in the ‘Social Housing Lettings’ statistics tables 3p and 3pi on gov.uk here.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Available social housing lettings data is not broken down by the nationality of the lead tenant and whether they are in receipt of housing-related benefits, or a lead tenant’s formal immigration status.
The number of new social housing lettings allocated to households who self-report as refugees can be found in the ‘Social Housing Lettings’ statistics tables 3p and 3pi on gov.uk here.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Using data as of 31 December 2025, which is in line with the latest published official statistics found on gov.uk here, the proportion of open cases that are enforcement notices is 27%.
This is calculated as open enforcement notices divided by total open cases.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The number of new social housing lettings to households with UK, EU and non-EU national lead tenants in each year between 2020/21 and 2024/25 can be found in the ‘Social Housing Lettings’ statistics tables 3e and 3ei on gov.uk here.
Available social housing lettings data is not broken down by the nationality of the lead tenant and household size.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The number of new social housing lettings to households with UK, EU and non-EU national lead tenants in each year between 2020/21 and 2024/25 can be found in the ‘Social Housing Lettings’ statistics tables 3e and 3ei on gov.uk here.
Available social housing lettings data is not broken down by the nationality of the lead tenant and household size.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The number of new social housing lettings to households with UK, EU and non-EU national lead tenants in each year between 2020/21 and 2024/25 can be found in the ‘Social Housing Lettings’ statistics tables 3e and 3ei on gov.uk here.
Available social housing lettings data is not broken down by the nationality of the lead tenant and household size.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The number of new social housing lettings to households with UK, EU and non-EU national lead tenants in each year between 2020/21 and 2024/25 can be found in the ‘Social Housing Lettings’ statistics tables 3e and 3ei on gov.uk here.
Available social housing lettings data is not broken down by the nationality of the lead tenant and household size.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the information requested.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Information in respect of households on housing registers is collected as an aggregated snapshot by local authority on 31 March each year. As a result, individual households cannot be tracked, and it is not possible to calculate the proportions requested.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
James Cleverly
(Conservative - Braintree)
Staff have a statutory right to apply for flexible working at any point during their employment.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department has not issued specific guidance on the change of use and conversion of former school buildings to residential accommodation.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
In November 2025, my Department launched a multi-platform communications campaign to raise awareness of reforms to the private rented sector in England resulting from the Renters’ Rights Act. To date, the campaign has seen strong engagement and achieved a wide reach.
We continue to work closely with relevant media, and sector representative organisations to make sure we reach as many landlords as possible.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 116835 on 9 March 2026.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
On 23 March 2026, the government launched a public consultation on the proposed New Towns Programme and its environmental implications. This can be found on gov.uk here.
The consultation makes clear that the seven locations we propose to take forward as part of the Programme are at different stages of maturity and require different types of intervention and support – including blends of public and private capital – to achieve their potential.
Following the consultation and completion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation Assessments, the government intends to publish final proposals and confirm the new towns locations later in the Summer. We will publish a full government response to the recommendations of the New Towns Taskforce, including more detail on how our confirmed locations will be delivered in line with our ambition for the programme.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The transitional provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026, set out the dates by which local planning authorities are required to start plan-making. It is the responsibility of individual local planning authorities to ensure they meet these requirements.
Local government reorganisation should not delay plan making. Local planning authorities who will form part of a new unitary authority should work together either on a joint plan or to align plan-making as far as practicable.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The transitional provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026, set out the dates by which local planning authorities are required to start plan-making. It is the responsibility of individual local planning authorities to ensure they meet these requirements.
Local government reorganisation should not delay plan making. Local planning authorities who will form part of a new unitary authority should work together either on a joint plan or to align plan-making as far as practicable.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The transitional provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026, set out the dates by which local planning authorities are required to start plan-making. It is the responsibility of individual local planning authorities to ensure they meet these requirements.
Local government reorganisation should not delay plan making. Local planning authorities who will form part of a new unitary authority should work together either on a joint plan or to align plan-making as far as practicable.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The transitional provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026, set out the dates by which local planning authorities are required to start plan-making. It is the responsibility of individual local planning authorities to ensure they meet these requirements.
Local government reorganisation should not delay plan making. Local planning authorities who will form part of a new unitary authority should work together either on a joint plan or to align plan-making as far as practicable.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
As per my answer to Question UIN 75184 on 12 September 2025, it is for local planning authorities, when receiving a planning application, to consider whether, given the type of food and service to be provided at the location proposed, they consider the outlet to be either a hot food takeaway or a fast-food outlet.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, sought feedback on the application of the term ‘fast-food outlets’ in planning decisions, and whether any further clarity could be provided on the types of establishments this policy should apply to.
We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
It is for the relevant decision maker to determine the weight to give to relevant policies in light of the specific facts and circumstances of any given planning application, including in the application of the tilted balance.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals for a revised presumption in favour of sustainable development, underpinning the way the new policies direct different forms of development to the most appropriate locations – in effect applying a permanent presumption in favour of suitably located development.
We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the information requested.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold data on what proportion of social housing tenants have lived in the UK for any period of time.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Proposed draft policy HC1 already makes clear that development plans should, at the most appropriate level, identify wider opportunities to promote good health, prevent ill-health and support social interaction through their spatial strategy and land allocations, including through policies locating development where it will support walking and cycling.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, proposed a number of changes to support the delivery of specialist forms of accommodation such as housing for older people and accessible housing.
We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 54059 on 6 June 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87630 on 11 November 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87630 on 11 November 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department has not issued specific guidance on the change of use and conversion of former school buildings to residential accommodation.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the required information.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government expects that letting agents will be able to carry out certain functions relating to the Private Rented Sector Database on landlords’ behalf.
The detailed requirements and any roles that may be undertaken by agents will be set out in regulations in due course.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 107063 on 28 January 2026.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 119662 on 18 March 2026.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)