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 2 January 2026, to Question 98813, on Travellers: Caravan Sites, whether such charging for traveller transit sites could be in potential statutory scope of local authority powers to charge the new overnight visitor levy.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 26 November 2025, the government published a consultation on the introduction of a new overnight visitor levy power which seeks views on the design of the power. The government is proposing to exempt stays in registered Gypsy and Traveller sites where the accommodation is a primary residence. The consultation will run until 18 February 2026 and following this, the government will bring forward legislation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether Warwick District Council sought advice from his Department prior to introducing its second home council tax premium.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government does not provide advice to councils on the application of the council tax premiums. The Government has published guidance on the administration of premiums. Councils must make their own decisions on whether to charge a premium based on the legislation and their own local circumstances. Councils administer council tax independently of central government. Where necessary, councils should seek their own independent legal advice on the interpretation of legislation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the latest possible date is for him to make a decision to cancel scheduled council elections in May 2026.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The deadline for representations on the postponement of local elections in May 2026 is 15 January. After this, the Secretary of State will consider all views provided, together with any other representations received, before decisions are made. If the Secretary of State decides to postpone an election, legislation will be brought forward as soon as practicable and the House will be updated.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the figures on local authority, fire and police core spending power include or exclude the grant funding to compensate local public bodies for the increase in National Insurance contributions for employees.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As set out at the 2026/27 provisional local government finance settlement, the £502 million Employer National Insurance Contributions Grant from 2025/26 will be consolidated into the Revenue Support Grant. As outlined in the explanatory note on Mayoral Strategic Authority funding existing Strategic Authorities will receive the Mayoral Capacity Fund in 2026/27, which takes account of their allocation from Employer National Insurance Contributions Grant from 2025/26.

Police authorities received funding for the increase in employee National Insurance Contributions separately.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the business rates transitional relief cap in (a) 2027-28 and (b) 2028-29 financial years will be based on the maximum percentage change relative to the (i) 2025-26 actual bill and (ii) previous year’s actual bill.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Transitional relief limits the extent to which a business can see their bills increase in a given year. Details of transitional relief and the maximum change per year can be found at: Business rates relief: Transitional relief - GOV.UK

This is part of the generous support package worth £4.3 billion over the next 3 years to help ratepayers to transition to their new bill.

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 draft National Planning Policy Framework of 16 December 2025, and the plans for the re-introduction of maximum parking standards, whether the Government intends to provide guidance on the specific maximum numeric levels of parking spaces allowed per new build unit.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is currently consulting on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making.

The consultation includes policies relating to sustainable transport and updated policy on parking standards. It proposes that maximum parking standards should be set where they will support efforts to encourage the use of sustainable transport modes, optimise the density of development in well-connected locations, or where they are necessary for managing the local road network.

As is the case now, it will be for local planning authorities to determine appropriate parking standards for their area through the plan-making process.

The consultation is open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found 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, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2025 to Question 88657, on Renters’ Rights Act 2025, if he will publish the terms of reference and project specification for the study commissioned from Verian; and what the timetable is for it to report.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As is usual practice, my Department will publish relevant information on the Verian study on the evaluation registry in due course. This will include the rationale and methods of the evaluation, alongside publication dates. The report findings will be published two and five years after the Renters’ Rights Act implementation date of 1 May 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the Social and Affordable Homes Programme business case.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) is expected to be onboarded onto the Government Major Programmes Portfolio (GMPP).

In line with the HM Treasury guidance for GMPP programmes, the SAHP intends to publish a summary of its Programme Business Case (PBC) within four months of HM Treasury’s formal approval of the PBC.

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 revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 16 December 2025, what assessment has been made of the effect of that Framework on planning applications and planning enforcement for traveller sites.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making.

The draft Framework incorporates policies relating to traveller sites, currently set out in Planning Policy For Traveller Sites, within relevant chapters.

The government recognises that there are particular concerns about the ability of local planning authorities to deal with intentional unauthorised development. The consultation on the revised NPPF seeks views on strengthening the policy on intentional unauthorised development.

The consultation is open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found 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, pursuant to the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 16 December 2025, page 100, for what reason he has repealed the written ministerial statement and associated planning policy on community pubs of 26 January 2015, Official Report, HCWS221.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes a list of Written Ministerial Statements and other documents where the planning policy stated within them is reflected in the proposed NPPF policies on which we are consulting, or which no longer represents government policy. The changes would not affect other content in the Written Ministerial Statements concerned.

The consultation includes policy designed to facilitate and safeguard the provision of community facilities such as public houses.

The consultation will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found 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, pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2025, to Question 97317, on Local Government: Reorganisation, and to the answer of 16 December 2025, to Question 95327, on councillors, if he will place a copy in the Library of the full calculations on which the £120 million statistic was based, including the assumptions of councillor allowances and election costs.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt. hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 97317 on 12 December 2025.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 on (a) the instances and duration of industrial action in local authorities and (b) disorder on municipal picket lines.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

In October 2024 the government published impact assessments on the relevant trade union-related measures now in the Employment Rights Act 2025. The impact assessment covering the Act’s repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 included an assessment of the expected impact on industrial action.

Local Authorities are independent employers responsible for managing industrial relations and industrial action risks.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials have had with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on funding for (i) remedial works to Grenfell Tower and (ii) the regeneration of the Lancaster West Estate.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to supporting the community affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy for the long term, and to working with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea so the vision of a 21st century estate for the residents of the Lancaster West Estate can be realised.

The Leader of the Council has corresponded with the Building Safety Minister about the Lancaster West Estate. My officials have been engaging with the council, who lead on the refurbishment of the Estate, to fully understand their plans for delivery.

The Government took ownership of the Grenfell Tower site in 2019 and has been responsible for making operational decisions, including on the security and safety of the site, since then. The Government made the decision in February 2025 that the Tower should be carefully taken down, and communicated this to the Grenfell community.

Work to carefully take down Grenfell Tower is progressing, and we continue to engage and share information with bereaved, survivors and the immediate community during this sensitive period.

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 visit by Lord Khan to Pakistan from 13 April to 17 April 2025, for what reason no meetings are listed for the four day period in the transparency document entitled MHCLG: ministerial meetings, April to June 2025.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84924 on 20 November 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many staff have been given permission to run for election in the (a) May 2025 and (b) May 2026 local elections.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The department does not hold a central record of all permissions granted. Request numbers are small and are considered on a case-by-case basis in line with policy.

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 2 January to Question 99197, on Council tax, what the deadline is for a local authority to make a representation to him on a higher council tax referendum threshold in 2026-27.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As set out in the provisional settlement, we will continue to have a framework to support councils and have set the process out in communication with the sector. Councils should engage with the department as soon as they have concerns about their ability to set or maintain a balanced budget or if they are considering submitting a request to be considered for higher council tax referendum thresholds in 2026-27. All discussions will be treated in confidence, but we will publish details of any support provided, including bespoke referendum principles at the Local Government Financial Settlement.

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 9 December 2025 to Question 96074 on Kent County Council: Best Value, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of a Best Value intervention in relation to the current Administration of Kent County Council.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My department monitors individual councils, including Kent, through a wide range of data and direct engagement. We continually review local authority governance, financial management, and sustainability, including through examining national data metrics, local authority documents, reports from auditors and inspectorates, and letters from residents. Where we become aware of early indications of best value failure, we consider a range of ways to closely monitor an authority’s progress. We will continue to monitor risk in individual councils, and we will act where necessary to ensure that councils meet their best value duty and are transparent and accountable to their residents.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2025 to Question 88672, on Business Rates: Tax Allowances, whether any impact assessment has been undertaken of the effect of the £1.1 billion in business rates from the reduction in Retail, Hospitality and Leisure rate relief from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

The total change in business rates revenue is set out in the OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

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 his Department’s press release entitled Councils offered flexibility to complete reorganisation, published on 18 December 2025, what evidence his Department used to determine that local elections could divert substantial time and resources away from delivering local government reorganisation, including those county councils without responsibility for administering elections.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This government takes democracy very seriously. In the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders we have listened to councils telling us about the capacity constraints they are operating within and the work that reorganisation introduces on top of existing challenges.

On 18 December I invited councils undergoing local government reorganisation with local elections in May 2026 to set out their views on the postponement of their local election and if they consider this could release essential capacity to deliver local government reorganisation and will consider all the representations we receive by the deadline of 15th January. The Secretary of State will consider the position of each council individually, weighing up the evidence received.

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 Electoral Commission statement entitled Electoral Commission responds to potential election postponements, published on 19 December 2025, what is the Government's evidence base that capacity constraints justify delaying scheduled elections.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This government takes democracy very seriously. In the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders we have listened to councils telling us about the capacity constraints they are operating within and the work that reorganisation introduces on top of existing challenges.

On 18 December I invited councils undergoing local government reorganisation with local elections in May 2026 to set out their views on the postponement of their local election and if they consider this could release essential capacity to deliver local government reorganisation and will consider all the representations we receive by the deadline of 15th January. The Secretary of State will consider the position of each council individually, weighing up the evidence received.

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 written statement on 19 November 2025, HCWS1071, on Local Government Reorganisation, on what date will the shadow unitary authorities be elected; on what date would the new unitaries be vested; and whether it will vary by local authority.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 5 February 2025, the Government issued invitations to councils in two-tier areas in England and neighbouring unitary councils to prepare proposals for local government reorganisation.

The Government will work with these areas to hold elections for new unitary councils as soon as possible. The exact timings and details will depend on the decisions taken on which proposal, if any, to implement. On the most ambitious timelines, elections to new unitary councils could take place in May 2027, ahead of "go live” date of 1 April 2028.

Surrey is operating on an accelerated timeline and we anticipate elections to the new unitary authorities will take place on May 2026, ahead of a vesting date of 1 April 2027.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what policy reason the transitional relief threshold for the 2026 revaluation cycle falls from 30% to 25% plus inflation for large firms, but rises from 5% to 25% plus inflation for small firms; and whether the inflation is the change in inflation that year, or the change in inflation since the base liability year.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. RVs are re-assessed every three years. The most recent revaluation took effect from 1 April 2023 and was based on values as of 1 April 2021. The next revaluation will take effect from 1 April 2026 based on values of 1 April 2024.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties, including those in the hospitality sector as they recover from the pandemic.

To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto.

The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including pubs. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since Covid. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department undertook a public sector equality duty assessment on the decision to cancel the mayoral elections.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government intends to establish Mayoral Strategic Authorities via secondary legislation for all the Devolution Priority Programme areas as soon as possible, subject to the councils’ consent. Devolution is strongest when it is built on strong foundations, and this extra time will allow these four areas to establish strong institutions ahead of their Mayors taking office in 2028. The decision to hold the mayoral elections at a later date does not necessitate a Public Sector Equality Duty assessment, as an assessment will be produced for the establishment legislation.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2025 to Question 98781 on Radicalism, what is her Department's policy on naming specific organisations which are (a) regarded as extremists and (b) subject to a policy of non-engagement.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

Although The Home Office cannot comment on specific groups or individual cases, I would like to reassure you that we are committed to addressing the full range of threats that we currently face as a country and tackling anyone who spreads views that promote violence and hatred against individuals and communities.

We have robust safeguards to tackle those who sow hatred and division in our communities and we make no apology for this.

The government’s focus is to reduce and disrupt the influence of high-harm groups and individuals and the spread of extremist ideologies that can lead to community division and to radicalisation into terrorism. Where there is evidence of purposeful actions that are potentially radicalising others into terrorism or violence, proportionate legislative action will be considered.

The Home Office is continually building our knowledge of potential threats, including information exchange and cooperation with partners on shared issues of concern. Each department must consider their own due diligence when choosing to engage with any organisation or individual and, if asked, we will advise and share information to help inform their decisions.

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 16 July 2025 to Question 66201 on Council Tax, whether the non-police element of the (a) GLA precept and (b) combined authority mayoral precepts are included in the £2,000 assessments.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The updated distribution proposed in the Fair Funding Review 2.0 includes a resource adjustment to take account of a local authority's ability to raise income locally when allocating funding as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement.

As set out in the response to Question UIN 66201, the notional council tax used in this adjustment is set at the average Band D level of Council Tax in England. This includes the social care precept and the fire precept but does not include police or parish precepts. Mayoral precepts are not included, except for the fire element.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the calculation of the base liability for the transitional relief in the 2026 business rates revaluation (a) includes and (b) excludes the application of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure rate relief in 2025-26.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

At the Budget the Chancellor announced a support package for ratepayers seeing significant bill increases as a result of the 2026 revaluation. This includes two key reliefs, Transitional Relief and Supporting Small Business Relief.

Transitional Relief is calculated from a base liability of the 2025/26 bill before all other reliefs.

The Supporting Small Business Relief provides support for ratepayers losing certain reliefs including the current 40% relief for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure. The Supporting Small Businesses Relief is calculated from a base liability that takes into account the effect of eligible reliefs – Small Business Rate Relief, Rural Rate Relief, 2025/26 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief, or 2023 Supporting Small Business Relief. The government published guidance for local authorities on the administration of the scheme on 15 December. This can be found on gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/business-rates-relief-2026-supporting-small-business-relief-local-authority-guidance).

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much funding his Department or Homes England for the Lancaster West Estate refurbishment; and what assessment he has made of the estimated £85 million shortfall in funding identified the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is committed to supporting the community affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy for the long term.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government agreed to provide c£25m towards the refurbishment of the Lancaster West estate on the assumption that this funding was to be matched by Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and that no further funding would be required from Government.

My officials have been engaging with RBKC, who lead on the refurbishment of the estate, to fully understand the cause of the shortfall and the Council’s plans for delivery.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government's new plans to change business rate liability for pubs will apply to hereditaments with a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 which are categorised by the Valuation Office Agency as (a) nightclubs, (b) restaurants, (c) hotels, (d) pubs with hotel rooms under VOA special category code 227, and (e) private members' clubs and working men’s clubs.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to UIN 101363.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 1 December 2025, to Question 90236, on Traveller: Caravan Sites, what information her Department holds on whether any police forces have been able to use the powers following the court’s declaration of incompatibility.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

In May 2024 the High Court made a declaration of incompatibility directed to sections 60C(3), 61(4ZA)(a), 62(1A)(a) and 62B(2) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, in so far as they identify a 12-month no-return period to an unauthorised site after being directed to leave.

This legislation remains in force until it is amended or repealed by the government. It is an operational matter for individual police forces to determine whether and how to enforce the legislation and the Home Office does not collect this information.

The government is working on a response to the Court’s judgment. In the Crime and Policing Bill Committee stage debate on 17 November, Home Office Minister Lord Hanson committed to set out the Government’s response to the judgment ahead of the Report stage of the Bill.

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 17 November 2025 to Question 87319, and to the Answer of 19 June 2025 to Question 58975, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Remote Working, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the number of desks for civil servants working in Darlington on their ability to attend the office for 60 per cent of the working week.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Darlington Economic Campus is an integrated shared facility between several Government Departments. Currently, due to the available capacity, MHCLG staff are expected to attend the office for 40% of their time.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance has his department given to local authorities on political restrictions on local authority staff running as candidates for election in other local authorities.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Local Government Officers (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990 continues to set out the specific restrictions that apply to holders of politically restricted posts in Local Authorities. As independent employers, Local authorities are responsible for complying with legislation.

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 December 2025, to Question 96897, on MHCLG: Public Appointments, when he plans to publish this data.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We will publish data on MHCLG’s Direct Ministerial Appointments in line with recent guidance in the coming months.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 16 December 2025, what assessment has been made of the potential effect of the proposed changes on the number and size of residential gardens in suburban neighbourhoods.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making.

The consultation includes policies that will support development within residential curtilages, including gardens. The relevant policies make clear that new development within residential curtilages should not occupy more than twice the footprint of the existing building on the site and should retain at least half of the non-developed area within the building’s curtilage. These policies would safeguard residential gardens from being lost and prevent inappropriate development which would be out of scale with the existing dwelling(s) taking place, while also allowing gentle increases in density in suitable locations.

Individual development decisions would be made by landowners/homeowners.

The consultation will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found 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 guidance has the (a) Government and (b) Planning Inspectorate given to local planning authorities and inspectors on the implications of the Equality Act 2010 for planning policy.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department does not provide guidance on the implications of the Equality Act 2010 for planning policy to either local planning authorities or inspectors.

The Government Equalities Office publishes guidance on the Public Sector Equality Duty for public bodies, which can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what datasets the Office for National Statistics collates and holds of the size of the population, and population growth, by religion, faith or belief, other than from the Census.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

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

A response to the Rt. hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 7th January is attached.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to use his Best Value powers to stop local authorities boycotting or divesting in companies based in, or which trade with, Israel.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Note 01/16 remains in force which prohibits procurement boycotts by public authorities against Israeli firms and firms which trade with Israel, unless formal government sanctions are in place Under the Local Government Act 1999, local authorities have a statutory Best Value duty to secure continuous improvement in how they exercise their functions, having regard to economy, efficiency, and effectiveness. The Secretary of State may intervene where there is significant, systemic, and extensive failure to meet this duty, based on a holistic assessment of all relevant information. The government has published guidance for local authorities on meeting the Best Value duty and on intervention.

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 November 2025 to Question 88720 on Second Homes: Council tax, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of council tax evasion from the second homes council tax premium by residents not telling their local billing authority that the dwelling is occupied as a second home.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Department does not collect data on avoidance or evasion of the second homes premium. As noted in my response to Question 88720, it is for local authorities to manage and address any potential cases of fraud in the council tax system.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the guidance entitled National Fraud Initiative: public-sector data specifications, updated on 11 November 2025, whether the council tax data matching will include the second homes council tax premium, where single person discount is not being claimed.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The National Fraud Initiative (NFI), as part of the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA), works closely with local authorities to help them identify and prevent fraud.

As part of this, the NFI is currently collaborating with local authorities to understand the fraud risks related to council tax second home premiums.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2025, to Question 84476, on Proof of Identity: Digital Technology, what the wider policy and guidance from the Cabinet Office is on whether departments should consider written consultation responses from individuals or organisations who are subject to a policy of non-engagement.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Cabinet Office has published consultation principles which set out how consultations should be conducted.

They are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/consultation-principles-guidance.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2025 to Question 95883, on Visitor Levy, whether the Office for National Statistics intends to classify the overnight visitor levy as a tax for statistical purposes.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

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

A response to the Rt. hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 7th January is attached.

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 report, Antisemitism: Recent Government Actions and Next Steps, published on 17 December 2025, what steps is the Government taking to tackle anti-semitism caused by (a) Islamist extremism and (b) radicalised anti-Israeli sentiment.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This Government takes extremism seriously and we are committed to ensuring we have the required tools and powers needed to address this issue. Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our society which is why countering it in all its forms remains an operational priority for our security and intelligence services.

Regardless of the worldview it draws from, if an ideology is causing harm by radicalising others into hatred, violence and extremism we will take action to prevent this and to safeguard susceptible individuals. We understand that Islamist and extreme right-wing ideologies remain the most prominent today hence why it remains at the very heart of our approach.

Everyone in this country has the right to feel safe. We work closely with policing and Jewish community stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities. The Community Security Trust has been allocated £28 million in 2025/26 through the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant. This includes additional emergency funding of £10 million. The Government also works closely with HMG’s Independent Adviser on Antisemitism and with the established Antisemitism Working Group on how to effectively tackle antisemitism and engage Jewish communities around international, national and local events affecting British Jews.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he is taking steps to prevent above-inflation increases to town and parish council precepts as a consequence of local government restructuring.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Parish councils decide the level of their council tax precept. This will reflect the service needs of each area having taken account of their other sources of income. To date no referendum principles have been set for these types of authority but the government expects them to consider carefully the pressure they place on taxpayers. The government keep this position under review, taking into account the increases set by the sector.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the (a) higher empty homes council tax premium from April 2025 and (b) abolition of the New Homes Bonus on the number of empty homes.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government does not make assessments of the housing market based on council tax premiums. It is for individual councils to decide whether to make use of council tax premiums based on their own local circumstances. In regard to the New Homes Bonus, I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 73762 on 9 September 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has issued guidance to local authorities on second homes council tax premiums on empty dwellings which are (a) furnished, (b) not occupied by any resident and (c) not long-term empty.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government has published guidance on the application of council tax premiums. This is available here. Councils have the discretionary power to charge a council tax premium on second homes (dwellings which are substantially furnished but no one’s main residence) and long-term empty homes (dwellings which have been substantially unfurnished and unoccupied for one or more years).

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate the Valuation Office Agency has made of the proportion of dwelling stock in England to be assessed for liability for the council tax surcharge.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency estimates fewer than 1% of properties in England are expected to be liable for the High Value Council Tax surcharge.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Valuation Office Agency holds data on the number of dwellings in (a) England and (b) Wales with an electric vehicle chargepoint.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency does not hold this data.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which local authorities levy (1) Business Improvement District Levies and (2) Business Rate Supplements in (a) 2025-26 and (b) 2026-27; and what guidance he has issued on revising those supplements following the 2026 rates revaluation.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government does not hold a central list of BIDs. However, the organisation British BIDs has developed a BID Index which lists current and developing BIDs in the UK. This can be accessed at: https://britishbids.info/services/bid-index. You can also contact the local authority to find out further information about BIDs in a given area.

The Business Rates Supplement Act 2009 permits certain authorities to levy up to 2p per pound of rateable value above a set threshold. In 2025-26, the Greater London Authority was the only authority to levy a Business Rates Supplement which it used to fund the Elizabeth Line. The government has not issued any guidance on revising supplements. Decisions for future years are for the relevant authority and must follow the requirements set out in the Act and the policies set out in their final prospectus.

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 Chief Planner letter of 24 November 2025, whether councils are required to report (a) interest accrued from unspent funds, (b) interest collected from late payment charges and (c) how interest accrued is spent for Infrastructure Funding Statements.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Schedule 2 of the CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended) requires authorities to report on the total amount of developer contributions received, spent, allocated and retained through CIL and section 106 at the end of the reported year.

CIL receipts collected, which includes any late payment interest and surcharges paid by a developer, must be used for the purposes which are set out in section 216 of the Planning Act 2008 and Part 7 of the CIL Regulations.

Further to the answers provided to Questions UIN 84954 and 54059 on 4 November 2025 and 6 June 2025 respectively, the Planning Advisory Service has recently published additional resources on its website to support local planning authorities in their infrastructure planning and delivery.

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 15 December 2025 to Question 97132 on Housing: Greater Manchester, if he will itemise the data provided to his Department by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority under Schedule 3 of the agreement since July 2024.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Further to the answers provided to Questions UIN 84646 and 97132 on 4 November 2025 and 15 December 2025 respectively, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) provides my Department with the data set out under Schedule 3 of the Facility Agreement.

Whilst that Agreement has been released, the financial data sent by GMCA to my Department is exempt from disclosure under section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, as disclosure would be likely to harm the commercial interests of the GMCA.

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 16 September 2025 to Question 74329 on Housing: Construction, whether the Old Oak Common housing target of 9,000 new homes will be met.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation’s Local Development Plan (2018-2038) identified that the Opportunity Area has the capacity to deliver an indicative 25,500 new homes. The development corporation still expects to deliver up to 9,000 homes on public sector land across the site.

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 November 2025 to Question 89460 on Housing: Greater Manchester, if he will publish that independent evaluation.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The independent evaluation in question was commissioned by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and a decision on whether to publish it is therefore for the GMCA not my Department.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the capacity of the Valuation Office Agency to deliver (a) a council tax revaluation in Wales, (b) appeals from that revaluation, (c) backlogs for business and council tax valuations and appeals in England and Wales, (d) the 2026 business rates revaluations in England and Wales, (e) appeals from those revaluations, (f) valuations for the new council tax surcharge in England and (g) appeals further to the council tax surcharge valuations.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) works closely with government partners to ensure it is adequately resourced and to develop delivery plans which align with planned consultation and legislative timelines. The VOA will receive additional funding and has resourcing plans in place to ensure it has capacity to deliver this work.

The VOA is replacing IT systems with modern cloud-based platforms that will deliver efficiencies and make it easier for customers to self-serve. Work is also ongoing to upskill its workforce to ensure there is greater flexibility in managing a wide range of cases.

The VOA will integrate into HMRC from 1 April 2026 which will provide further flexibility and support, including increased access to HMRC’s digital, data and technology expertise to deliver this work.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the policy paper entitled Outcome of the exploratory discussions on the possible participation of the United Kingdom in the European Union’s internal electricity market, published on 22 December 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the new EU-UK understanding on proposed planning reforms in relation to nuclear power stations.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The detail of commitments for a future agreement for the UK’s participation in the EU’s internal electricity market is a matter for negotiations.

As the Chancellor set out at Budget, the government will present a full response to the Nuclear Regulatory Review within three months, taking account of our international obligations, national security considerations, and planning, environmental and court processes.

The government will complete implementation of the Nuclear Regulatory Review within two years, subject to legislative timelines on elements requiring primary legislation.

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 Table 1 of the Commissioner for Public Appointment’s annual report 2024-25, published in December 2025, for what reason his Department took an average of 267 days to make a public appointment.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Department is committed to continuing to uphold the highest standards of transparency and propriety in public appointments, in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. As the Commissioner’s 2024-25 annual report explains, the timeliness of public appointments campaigns were impacted by the 2024 General Election and panel member availability.

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 September 2025 to Question 69673 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Remote Working, what type of workplace attendance information is collated and held by his Department for its offices outside London.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Department records workplace attendance data for staff based outside London and reviews this information on a quarterly basis.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 2 January 2026 to Question 99156 on Retail Trade: Business Rates, how many large distribution warehouse hereditaments are liable for the higher value surcharge in 2025-26.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Statistics detailing the number of properties with a Rateable Value over £500,000 in the draft 2026 Rating List can be found on GOV.UK. They can be sorted by specific property types, such as large distribution warehouses. Information relating to your request can be found here.

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 17 November 2025 to Question 88270 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Publicity, how much has been spent on translation and interpretation by his Department and each of its Arm's Length Bodies since July 2024.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The MHCLG and it’s Arm’s Length Bodies do not hold a central record of translation and interpretation costs in relation to publicity.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether (a) HMRC and (b) the Valuation Office Agency plan to hire more staff to levy the council tax surcharge.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency is developing its approach to administering the High Value Council Tax Surcharge and will set out more details in due course, alongside the government’s consultation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much total government grant will (1) Wandsworth Borough Council and (2) Westminster City Council receive in (a) 2024-25, (b) 2025-26 and (c) 2026-27.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The provisional Settlement 2026–27 will make available almost £78 billion in Core Spending Power (CSP) for local authorities in England, a 5.7% cash-terms increase compared to 2025–26. CSP allocations for individual local authorities through the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2026-27 can be found here. CSP allocations for individual local authorities for the Local Government Finance Settlement 2024-25 and 2025-26 can be found here and here respectively.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether local authorities will be able to set planning fees to (a) make a profit for their general fund and (b) reduce the subsidy of planning services from the general fund.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Planning and Infrastructure Act provides the Secretary of State with the power to delegate the setting of planning fees to local planning authorities.

Fees are to be set on a cost-recovery basis and cannot be used to generate a profit for an authority’s general fund. Income from planning fees must be used to deliver an authority’s statutory planning decision-making functions and cannot be used to cross-subsidise other planning services, which should continue to be funded from the general fund.

The process for local fee setting will be set out in regulations this year. We will shortly also be consulting on a national default fee, which will be the baseline from which local planning authorities can vary and set their own fees.

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 21 November 2025, to Question 88641, on Stop Notices, and to the answer of 20 November 2025, to Question 89449, on Planning: Enforcement, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending guidance to facilitate the use of Temporary Stop Notices by local authorities against unauthorised traveller sites.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department has no current plans to amend the guidance on temporary stop notices.

The criteria for issuing a temporary stop notice, namely that the local planning authority thinks there has been a breach of planning control and that it is expedient for it to be stopped immediately, are set out in legislation. The changes made to the National Planning Policy Framework on 12 December 2024 do not affect this.

We have not made an assessment of the effectiveness of temporary stop notices in preventing unauthorised development by travellers.

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 16 December 2025 to Question 95327 on Councillors, whether the £120 million includes the cost of mayoral offices where mayors take on the role of Police and Crime Commissioners.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The £120 million cost estimating the savings through a potential reduction in the number of councillors does not include the costs of mayoral officers where mayors take on the role of Police and Crime Commissioners as this was not considered a linked cost of local government reorganisation. The £130 million cost estimate from the abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners does include the costs of both Mayors and newly created Policing and Crime Boards taking on the functions.

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 17 November 2025, to Question 88270, whether the guidance entitled Translation into Foreign Languages, published by the Department for Communities and Local Government on 12 March 2013, Official Report, Column 5WS, remains his department's policy.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The department provides published content in additional languages where appropriate and on a case-by-case basis.

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 24 November 2025 to Question 90719 on Local Government Finance, which local authorities have notified his Department of disposal flexibility transactions since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 90719 answered on 24 November 2025.

Government does not publish details of the plans submitted by local authorities, but authorities should, in accordance with the guidance that accompanies the direction, make their strategies publicly available, and use of the flexibility should be reported in the annual statement of accounts.

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 2 January 2026 to Question 99503 on Councillors: Conduct, whether he plans to consult on the content of the mandatory code of conduct; and whether it will include a requirement to promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government response to the local government standards framework consultation published on 11 November 2025 confirmed our intention to legislate to prescribe a mandatory code of conduct. We are continuing to engage with the sector as we develop final detailed policies for implementation.

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 21 November 2025 to Question 88673 on Land: Valuation, what the public interest basis is for not disclosing the Valuation Office Agency’s viability research.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department is still analysing the research in question. We will keep the decision to publish any suitable and relevant information under review.

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 publication entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, November 2025, of 31 December 2025, what the topic and terms of reference were for the Employment Rights Bill Research by Verian Group UK Limited with reference 5105606902; and what the timetable is for the publication of that research.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government’s Plan to Make Work Pay will improve living standards, support economic growth, and provide more security for people in work.

The research, developed with Department for Business and Trade (DBT), was a survey of precariously employed people, such as those on zero hours contracts. The survey aimed to understand the hidden, out-of-pocket costs faced by those with uncertain working hours, such as paying for last minute childcare or travel changes. The work has been shared with DBT to support the government’s ongoing work and will be published in line with Government Social Research protocols.

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 2 January 2026 to Question 99491 on Local Government: Public Relations, whether his Department monitors local authority adherence to the Publicity Code provisions on hiring lobbyists to influence the local government restructuring process.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My letter of 19 November reminded councils in reorganisation areas that they must have regard to the Code when producing publicity relating to local government reorganisation. Concerns about specific cases should be raised with the relevant council’s Monitoring Officer.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department given on whether local planning authorities may waive retrospective Community Infrastructure Levy charges on self-build and extensions where administrative errors were made by applicants in good faith; and whether he plans to provide new or updated guidance following the ruling of R (Luck) v Bracknell Forest BC [2025] EWHC 2984 (Admin).

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has not issued official guidance to local planning authorities on matters relating to enforcement decisions on Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charges previously levied on householder developers.

CIL charging authorities are ultimately responsible and accountable for their own decisions on charging and enforcement of CIL.

That said, the government expects charging authorities to consider each case very carefully and in accordance with their legal obligations.

The government recognise that procedural requirements relating to exemptions for housebuilder applications under the 2010 CIL regulations have had financial consequences for some homeowners and we remain committed to finding an urgent solution to this issue.

We are also aware of the High Court decision in R (Luck) v Bracknell Forest BC [2025] EWHC 2984 (admin). As with any such ruling, its implications on the policy area will be carefully considered.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the 2026 business rates revaluation is revenue-neutral.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties.

To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down next year. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the oral answer of 26 November 2025, Official Report, House of Lords, Column 1331, on West Midlands Police: Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans, if she will publish the review.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary’s inspection report on West Midlands Police’s match assessment for the Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv match has been published on GOV.UK.

The report has also been deposited in both House libraries and shared with the Home Affairs Select Committee.

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 17 November 2025 to Question 87327 on National Identity, whether he is taking steps to promote (a) Britishness and (b) Englishness.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

MHCLG is co-ordinating cross-Government efforts to consider a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion.

The Prime Minister has made clear that he is proud of our flag, which represents our history, our heritage, and our values; it is a great symbol of our nation and should not be devalued and belittled. Flags should be an embodiment of bringing our country and our communities together.

Where flags or other materials are fly posted without permission, councils have powers to remove unauthorised advertisements. In addition, where there is evidence of threatening or intimidating behaviour, such incidents should be reported to the police. We should reclaim the flag from those who want to use it to cause conflict: it belongs to all of us, and we should be proud of it.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to build new homes for asylum seekers using public funds.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the rt. Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 78206 on 23 October 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 4 December 2025, to Question 95399, on Council tax: valuation, what was the evidential basis and sources used to estimate the 1% figure.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The sources used to calculate the number of properties impacted are set out in the published costings document: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/692872fd2a37784b16ecf676/Budget_2025-Policy_Costings.pdf

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what Rateable Value thresholds, (i) inside and (ii) outside London, apply to (a) transitional relief and (b) supporting small business relief, from 2026-27, based on each small, medium and large bucket, in each of the next three years.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including grassroots music venues, while ensuring that warehouses used by online giants will pay more. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since Covid.

Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

The support package includes a redesigned transitional relief scheme which caps bill increases. The Transitional Relief caps will be as follows for properties with a rateable value of:

- Up to £20,000 (£28,000 in London): in 2026-27 – 5%, in 2027-28 – 10% (plus inflation), in 2028-29 – 25% (plus inflation).

- £20,001 (£28,001 in London) to £100,000: in 2026-27 – 15%, in 2027-28 – 25% (plus inflation), in 2028-29 – 40% (plus inflation).

- Over £100,000: in 2026-27 – 30%, in 2027-28 – 25% (plus inflation), in 2028-29 – 25% (plus inflation).

The Government is also proceeding with a supporting small business scheme (SSB) capping bill increases for the smallest businesses losing some or all of their small business rates relief or rural rate relief. For any business whose value has increased so that they are no longer eligible for small business rates relief – which provides up to 100% relief from business rates for small businesses – we are capping their increase at the higher of £800 or the relevant Transitional Relief percentage cap for a property of their value, before changes in other reliefs and local supplements.

SSB eligibility and thresholds can be found at: Business rates relief: Small business rate relief - GOV.UK. Transitional Relief eligibility and thresholds can be found at: Business rates relief: Transitional relief - GOV.UK

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how transitional relief and Supporting Small Business Relief are calculated for hereditaments receiving 100% small business rate relief in 2025-26 and no longer being eligible for small business rate relief in 2026-27.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including grassroots music venues, while ensuring that warehouses used by online giants will pay more. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since Covid.

Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

The support package includes a redesigned transitional relief scheme which caps bill increases. The Transitional Relief caps will be as follows for properties with a rateable value of:

- Up to £20,000 (£28,000 in London): in 2026-27 – 5%, in 2027-28 – 10% (plus inflation), in 2028-29 – 25% (plus inflation).

- £20,001 (£28,001 in London) to £100,000: in 2026-27 – 15%, in 2027-28 – 25% (plus inflation), in 2028-29 – 40% (plus inflation).

- Over £100,000: in 2026-27 – 30%, in 2027-28 – 25% (plus inflation), in 2028-29 – 25% (plus inflation).

The Government is also proceeding with a supporting small business scheme (SSB) capping bill increases for the smallest businesses losing some or all of their small business rates relief or rural rate relief. For any business whose value has increased so that they are no longer eligible for small business rates relief – which provides up to 100% relief from business rates for small businesses – we are capping their increase at the higher of £800 or the relevant Transitional Relief percentage cap for a property of their value, before changes in other reliefs and local supplements.

SSB eligibility and thresholds can be found at: Business rates relief: Small business rate relief - GOV.UK. Transitional Relief eligibility and thresholds can be found at: Business rates relief: Transitional relief - GOV.UK

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many value estimates will be produced by the Valuation Office Agency for the council tax surcharge valuations.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Fewer than 1% of properties are expected to be above the £2 million threshold. The Valuation Office Agency is developing its approach and will set out more information alongside the government’s consultation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the business rates special category code (SCAT) the Valuation Office Agency uses for (a) coffee shops, (b) wine bars and (c) cafes is.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Information on SCAT codes is available at this link [SCat code list]

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the Valuation Office Agency’s budget is for developing the Automated Valuation Model for council tax in England.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The VOA is not developing an automated valuation model for council tax in England.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what external contractors is the Valuation Office Agency using to support its valuation work on (a) a council tax revaluation in Wales and (b) the council tax surcharge in England.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is not using external contractors to perform its valuation work on the 2028 Council Tax revaluation in Wales.

The approach to the High Value Council Tax Surcharge is being developed and more details will be set out in due course, alongside the Government's consultation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will place in the Library a copy of the Equality Impact Assessment produced by the Valuation Office Agency for the 2026 business rates revaluation.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many hereditaments in London were (a) valued over £75,000 on the 2023 Rating List and (b) valued over £85,000 on the 2026 Rating List, according to information held by the Valuation Office Agency.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Information relating to your request can be found here.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2025, to Question 99923, on Retail Trade: Business Rates, what is the estimated number of hereditaments, and average Rateable Value, that will receive Retail Hospitality & Leisure (RHL) multiplier in 2026-27 that were otherwise at the £110,000 cap for RHL relief in 2025-26.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government publishes data on the cost of, and number of properties receiving, business rates relief. This data can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-non-domestic-rates-collected-by-councils-in-england-forecast-2025-to-2026

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much Luton Borough Council received in retained business rates in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26, and what are the projected figures for each of the next three years under the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2026-27.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Luton Borough Council reported their retained business rates for 2024-25 to the department here in the document ‘Revenue outturn summary (RS) 2024 to 2025’, in the ‘LA Dropdown’ tab line 870. For 2025-26, their estimated retained business rates is here in the document ‘Revenue Account Budget (RA) data 2025-26 (part 1)’, in the ’LA Dropdown 25-26’ tab in line 970.

At the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2026-27 to 2028-29 the department published local authorities’ baseline funding levels. The baseline funding level does not represent the total amount of business rates an authority will retain in a year but amount of an individual local authority’s Fair Funding Assessment provided through the local share of retained business rates income. The values for 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-29 are published here, in column L of the relevant years’ tabs.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the press release, Councils offered flexibility to complete reorganisation, of 18 December 2025, whether district council Returning Officers would still be obliged to organise county council elections in May 2026 in their district area, if a scheduled district council election was cancelled but not the county council election.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Yes.

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 17 November 2025 to Question 88734 on Asylum Housing, whether (a) his Department and (b) the Planning Inspectorate has issued guidance on this matter.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Neither my Department nor the Planning Inspectorate has issued any guidance to local authorities on when and how often they can issue stop notices in relation to housing asylum seekers.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many hereditaments claimed Retail Hospitality and Leisure rate relief in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26, excluding those at the £110,000 cash cap.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The number of hereditaments receiving the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief as at 31 December 2024 can be found in Table 4 here.

This is based on a snapshot taken by local authorities on or as close to the 31 December 2024. It is not possible from the data collected to exclude properties at the cash cap.

The snapshot as at 31 December 2025 is currently being collected and will be published by the end of March.

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 Local authority capital expenditure and receipts in England: 2024 to 2025 final outturn, Published 6 November 2025, what proportion of the £3.0 billion of total capital receipts in 2024-25 was subject to the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts direction that allows such receipts to spent on revenue expenditure.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts general direction was introduced in 2016 by the previous government and remains substantively unchanged.

The total value of capital receipts received by local authorities in 2024-25 was £4.3 billion, as reported on gov.uk here.

This government has not changed the rules on use of capital receipts; not all capital receipts are eligible for use under the general flexibility. For example, under the direction, eligible capital receipts must be genuine disposals outside of the local authorities’ group structure. Nor does the flexibility override any statutory restrictions that may exist on certain types of assets. The government does not collect specific data on eligible capital receipts held by local authorities.

Use of the flexibility is at the discretion of local authorities but must be compliant with the conditions of the general flexibility and their wider statutory duties. The government is clear that its use should represent value for money and be in the best interests of local residents.

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 9 January 2026, to Question 102762, on Countering Foreign Financial Influence and Interference in UK politics independent review, how many civil servants are assigned to support the review; and whether the review will be undertaking any formal call for evidence.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

A team of five civil servants has been assigned to support the review. The review will not be undertaking a formal call for evidence, but individuals and organisations are able to submit evidence via the public mailbox - reviewteam@rycroftreview.independent.gov.uk.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HM Treasury collates data on central government spending on translation and interpretation into foreign languages for those residing in the United Kingdom.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Government spending on translation and interpretation services for British residents exists across many departments. Spending on such services typically falls below the HM Treasury approval and disclosure threshold, as defined by a department’s Delegated Authority Limit. HM Treasury therefore does not collect or receive data at the requested level of granularity.

Found: Foreign Secretary James Cleverly expressed his disappointment that none of the six would now face justice