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)
Vikki Slade (LD - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Liberal Democrat 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)
Written Statements
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee is holding an inquiry into the affordability of home ownership. Its focus is …
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provides to local authorities …
Regulation 2 of these Regulations makes a number of changes to the Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) Regulations …
A Bill to make provision about combined authorities, combined county authorities, the Greater London Authority, local councils, police and crime …
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 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).
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)My Department routinely monitors trends across the private rented sector, including levels of rent; the number of dwellings for private rent; and the number of private sector landlords.
To do this, we make use of data from existing surveys such as the English Housing Survey, the English Private Landlord Survey, and data from the Office for National Statistics and Hometrack. We have also commissioned Verian to carry out a longitudinal survey of private renters to help baseline and monitor the private rented sector reforms.
The government is committed to a robust evaluation of the impact of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. This evaluation will include extensive data collection through interviews, surveys and focus groups and will involve engagement with a range of stakeholders including tenants, landlords, letting agents, third sector organisations, delivery partners, and government officials.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department routinely monitors trends across the private rented sector, including levels of rent; the number of dwellings for private rent; and the number of private sector landlords.
To do this, we make use of data from existing surveys such as the English Housing Survey, the English Private Landlord Survey, and data from the Office for National Statistics and Hometrack. We have also commissioned Verian to carry out a longitudinal survey of private renters to help baseline and monitor the private rented sector reforms.
The government is committed to a robust evaluation of the impact of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. This evaluation will include extensive data collection through interviews, surveys and focus groups and will involve engagement with a range of stakeholders including tenants, landlords, letting agents, third sector organisations, delivery partners, and government officials.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department is exploring proportionate and efficient ways of collecting and analysing data from Infrastructure Funding Statements, alongside other relevant sources of evidence.
I also refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 54059 on 6 June 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government has commenced the Right to Manage measures in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. They came into effect on 3 March 2025.
These changes implement the Law Commission recommendation to increase the non-residential floorspace limit from 25 to 50 per cent for Right to Manage claims. This means that more leaseholders in mixed-use buildings will qualify for the right to manage, gaining control over the management of their building. Further changes mean that leaseholders making right to manage claims will no longer have to pay their freeholder’s process costs for that claim.
As per the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244), the government is determined to take action to address Law Commission recommendations omitted from the 2024 Act.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
HM Land Registry (HMLR) are responsible for registering the ownership of land.
Approximately 11% of land in England and Wales remains unregistered.
My Department is working with HMLR to widen and deepen transparency of land ownership and control.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
On 4 July, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here. For an overview of the proposals set out in the consultation, I refer the hon. Member to the associated Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS780). The consultation closed on 26 September, and we are analysing responses.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
On 4 July, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here. For an overview of the proposals set out in the consultation, I refer the hon. Member to the associated Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS780). The consultation closed on 26 September, and we are analysing responses.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to UIN 74455 on 15 September 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to UIN 74455 on 15 September 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Our ‘Strategy for Modern and Secure Elections’ sets out how we will respond to the threat of foreign interference by strengthening the rules around political donations. This includes ensuring that unincorporated associations are prevented from making significant campaign contributions unless they can verify and disclose the source of their funding, and requiring donors to declare any benefits received in connection with their donation.
We will ensure the appropriate thresholds for these requirements are uprated from £7,500 to £11,180 in line with other thresholds in electoral law.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Our ‘Strategy for Modern and Secure Elections’ sets out how we will respond to the threat of foreign interference by strengthening the rules around political donations. This includes ensuring that unincorporated associations are prevented from making significant campaign contributions unless they can verify and disclose the source of their funding, and requiring donors to declare any benefits received in connection with their donation.
We will ensure the appropriate thresholds for these requirements are uprated from £7,500 to £11,180 in line with other thresholds in electoral law.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 65373 on 14 July 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The House will be notified when the decision is made.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The viability study produced by the Valuation Office Agency in October 2024 helped to inform wider analysis and is an internal government document. We have no plans to publish it.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
As the sponsor Department, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has always had regular discussions with Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC) on matters relevant to its core objectives.
The EDC has not formally requested a review of the SSSI designation in question but continues to work with Natural England as part of an agreed Memorandum of Understanding to support wider development proposals for Ebbsfleet Central.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
HM Land Registry (HMLR) already provides public access to information on individual property titles for a small fee, and it received 27.8 million information service requests in 2024-25. It also provides a mix of free and paid-for data services through its “Use land and property data” service on gov.uk. The Use land and property data platform, which can be found on gov.uk here, now sees more than 6,000 users downloading datasets every month.
HMLR is committed to maximising the value of the data it holds and making it findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable, while ensuring that risks to personal information and ownership security remain well controlled.
The information HMLR holds is complex and in a variety of formats. Its economic and social value cannot be fully realised without the investment HMLR is already putting in to digitise the data. HMLR has an ambitious programme of transformational activity, such as the award-winning Local Land Charges programme, that uses AI to accelerate the pace of change.
This year, one of HMLR's flagship programmes – Geospatial and Data Transformation – is going to deliver a change that will make land ownership data more accessible and valuable to people. HMLR has worked with GeoPlace to improve the way in which Unique Property Reference Numbers (or UPRNs) can help in matching ownership records, which are map-based, with other property data that is address-based.
HMLR will then be able to add these links into more of its published datasets in 2026, in addition to those that already contain the UPRNs, such as the UK and Overseas Ownership and Price Paid Datasets. The National Polygon Service and Registered Leases will be prioritised for this enhancement to their accessibility and utility. We will also ensure that INSPIRE polygons – showing ownership boundaries – are also easy to relate to other property data. This will allow users to match and merge HMLR data with other government data sources. HMLR has also established a dedicated team to develop and improve the way that its data can be accessed through automated requests (via APIs) that software providers in the PropTech market use. This will enable better and faster services for consumers and business.
Alongside its transformation activities, HMLR is supporting the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in the delivery of a new policy around the Contractual Controls Dataset. This will offer all stakeholders a reliable and accessible information source regarding land ownership controls beyond the usual freehold and leasehold ownership information.
HMLR's recently published Strategy 2025+, which can be found on gov.uk here, sets out its ambitions to further support the property market and beyond with its data over the next 10 years. All HMLR’s data on property ownership can be publicly accessed today and the investment it is engaged in will increase the ease and speed with which it can be obtained and used.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
It is for local authorities to decide how and when to use their compulsory purchase powers to improve their high streets. Compulsory purchase powers must only be used where negotiations to acquire properties by agreement have failed and there is a compelling case in the public interest.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department has not issued any recent guidance on deemed consent for the flying of the Palestinian flag. General guidance on the planning rules for flying flags can be found on gov.uk here.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, property listings must already not omit information that the average consumer needs to make an informed transactional decision.
I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the proposals set out in the home buying and selling consultations published on 6 October 2025. They can be found on gov.uk here and here.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government does not have a numerical target for reducing the number of empty homes.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department did explore providing low interest loans to councils but having carefully considered the fiscal implications we reluctantly arrived at the conclusion that the scheme would be for Private Registered Providers only.
As part of our commitment to reinvigorating council housebuilding, we have confirmed a number of other measures designed to support delivery of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme by councils. Full details can be found in my 7 November letter to local council leaders which can be found on gov.uk here.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government intend to implement Section 48 and Schedule 10 of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 as soon as possible after we have made necessary changes in primary legislation to fix the small number of specific but serious flaws that the Act contains.
For details of those flaws I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 25972 on 6 February 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December 2024 makes clear that ‘Golden Rules’ should apply to major development involving the provision of housing on land released from the Green Belt through plan preparation or review, or on sites in the Green Belt subject to a planning application. These ‘Golden Rules’ include necessary improvements to local or national infrastructure.
The point at which infrastructure is delivered is a matter for local planning authorities and will depend on the nature of the site. Requirements can be set out as planning conditions or agreed through section 106 planning obligations.
The government’s planning practice guidance on viability makes clear that where development is subject to the ‘Golden Rules’, site specific viability assessment should not be used for the purpose of reducing developer contributions. The guidance is available on gov.uk here. We are currently reviewing planning practice guidance and will publish updates in due course.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department has made no specific assessment of trends in relation to historic buildings and unlawful development.
The government is committed to the protection of the historic environment.
There are strong protections in both the National Planning Policy Framework and legislation to support the conservation and enhancement of heritage assets.
The government has also given local planning authorities a wide range of enforcement powers in relation to unauthorised development, including specific powers in relation to designated heritage assets, with strong penalties for non-compliance.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department has made no specific assessment of trends in relation to historic buildings and unlawful development.
The government is committed to the protection of the historic environment.
There are strong protections in both the National Planning Policy Framework and legislation to support the conservation and enhancement of heritage assets.
The government has also given local planning authorities a wide range of enforcement powers in relation to unauthorised development, including specific powers in relation to designated heritage assets, with strong penalties for non-compliance.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Local planning authorities (LPAs) already have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance, which they can use in instances where development has not taken place in accordance with the relevant planning consent.
These enforcement powers include the power to issue a completion notice which requires a developer to complete their development if it is left uncompleted.
It is for LPAs themselves to decide how and when they use their powers depending on the circumstances of each case.
On 25 May, the government published a Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out (which can be found on gov.uk here) inviting views on further action the government should take to speed up homes being built.
On the same day, we launched a technical consultation on implementing measures to improve the transparency of build rates from new residential development, which includes proposals to implement provisions in Section 113 of the LURA on the power to decline to determine applications. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the government intends bring forward the regulations to implement these measures at the earliest practical opportunity with the new build out reporting framework coming into force from 2026.
The consultations closed on 7 July and responses are currently being analysed.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
It is for local planning authorities to determine whether to enforce against unauthorised development and to keep records of their enforcement activities.
The government does not collect granular data on unauthorised development by type.
We have published guidance on various planning enforcement matters, including Temporary Stop Notices, and this is available on gov.uk here.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
It is for local planning authorities to determine whether to enforce against unauthorised development and to keep records of their enforcement activities.
The government does not collect granular data on unauthorised development by type.
We have published guidance on various planning enforcement matters, including Temporary Stop Notices, and this is available on gov.uk here.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Local planning authorities have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance. It is for authorities to decide how and when they use their powers depending on the circumstances of each case.
It is also for local planning authorities to ensure they have the resources in place to carry out their planning enforcement function effectively.
For a summary of the steps the government is taking to support capacity and capability within local planning authorities, including within their enforcement teams, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to question UIN 67508 on 14 July 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Local planning authorities have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance. It is for authorities to decide how and when they use their powers depending on the circumstances of each case.
It is also for local planning authorities to ensure they have the resources in place to carry out their planning enforcement function effectively.
For a summary of the steps the government is taking to support capacity and capability within local planning authorities, including within their enforcement teams, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to question UIN 67508 on 14 July 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Local planning authorities have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance. It is for authorities to decide how and when they use their powers depending on the circumstances of each case.
It is also for local planning authorities to ensure they have the resources in place to carry out their planning enforcement function effectively.
For a summary of the steps the government is taking to support capacity and capability within local planning authorities, including within their enforcement teams, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to question UIN 67508 on 14 July 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 58228 on 24 June 2025.
The government’s planning practice guidance on viability makes clear that where development is subject to the ‘Golden Rules’, site specific viability assessment should not be used for the purpose of reducing developer contributions. The guidance is available on gov.uk here. We are currently reviewing planning practice guidance and will publish updates in due course.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 58228 on 24 June 2025.
The government’s planning practice guidance on viability makes clear that where development is subject to the ‘Golden Rules’, site specific viability assessment should not be used for the purpose of reducing developer contributions. The guidance is available on gov.uk here. We are currently reviewing planning practice guidance and will publish updates in due course.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
No data centres have yet been consented under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects consenting process.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Green Belt policy is set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
The NPPF is a material consideration in planning decisions.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Due to the quasi-judicial role of MHCLG Ministers in the planning system, I am unable to comment on the details of individual cases.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
At the Spending Review, the government announced £39 billion, in nominal terms, for a new Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) over 10 years from 2026-27 to 2035-36.
Economic appraisal for the SAHP business case was carried out following HMT Green Book methodology and used the Green Book discount rate (known as the Social Time Preference Rate) to assess the economic value for money of the programme in present value terms.
I otherwise refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 78177 on 3 November 2025 for further details.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
At the Spending Review, the government announced £39 billion, in nominal terms, for a new Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) over 10 years from 2026-27 to 2035-36.
Economic appraisal for the SAHP business case was carried out following HMT Green Book methodology and used the Green Book discount rate (known as the Social Time Preference Rate) to assess the economic value for money of the programme in present value terms.
I otherwise refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 78177 on 3 November 2025 for further details.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Jess Asato
(Labour - Lowestoft)
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is committed to supporting staff that are experiencing, or going through the aftermath of, domestic violence.
MHCLG has a published Domestic Violence policy.
Our published policy includes guidance and support for Line Managers and individuals who are confided to about domestic violence issues and signposts to a range of resources and sources of support for colleagues experiencing domestic violence and for managers supporting colleagues.
Once available, we will promote the take-up of the training product for managers currently being developed by the Cabinet Office.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
As the hon. Member is aware, any party can make representations in respect of a planning application.
Representations on planning applications are dealt with in accordance with paragraphs 18, 19 and 20 of the published propriety guidance on planning casework decisions found on gov.uk here.
The Secretary of State is able to issue a direction under section 321 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This allows specific evidence to be withheld from public inspection. Again, as the hon. Member is aware, no section 321 direction was made during the public inquiry on this matter, which closed on 19 February 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department has not undertaken a specific assessment of the impact of mortgage in possession clauses in planning applications.
It is for local planning authorities to consider whether otherwise unacceptable development could be made acceptable through the use of conditions or planning obligations. Such obligations may include mortgage in possession clauses.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
As set out in detail in the Social and Affordable Homes Programme policy statement published on 7 November 2025 (which can be found on gov.uk here), the new programme is designed to be flexible to support the greater diversity of supply needed and does not adopt the previous approach of setting numerical targets for particular types of homes.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department has had no recent discussions with Lancashire County Council regarding ‘inactive’ landlords in Lancashire.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Dan Norris
(Independent - North East Somerset and Hanham)
As part of our commitment to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market, my Department continues to consider a range of overseas systems.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the data in question.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the Rt. hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 70585 on 15 September 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the Rt. hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 70585 on 15 September 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Guidance on temporary stop notices can be found in the Enforcement and post-permission matters section of my Department's Planning Practice Guidance on gov.uk here.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)