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 letter to council leaders and others of 16 February 2026 on postponement of local elections in England in May 2026, for what reason the decision was made by the Housing Minister.

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

As set out in the Government’s communication to the Court and the Secretary of State’s correspondence to the Rt. Hon. Member of 23 February, in order to ensure that the position was reconsidered afresh, and recognising the urgency created by the electoral timetable, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning was invited to review the matter.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 14 January 2026, to Question 103294, on Local Government: Elections, whether his Department’s (a) Permanent Secretary private office and (b) HR division is informed whether a civil servant has been given permission to run in the 2026 local elections.

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

We are not aware of any approvals having been given.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2026 to Question 109630 on Council tax: Valuation, what the completion date is for the Council tax valuation operating system; and whether it will be used to assist the (a) council tax revaluation in Wales and (b) council tax surcharge in England.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Operating System for Council Tax was launched in 2025 and supports all Council Tax work in England and Wales, including the High Value Council Tax Surcharge

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2025, to Question 92614, on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, and with reference to Section 16 of the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992, for what reason Westminster City Council was not notified within 21 days that the March 2025 council tax bill was incorrect in not applying the second homes council tax premium for the dwelling.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office accepts it was delayed in notifying Westminster City Council that the Admiralty House flat allocated to the former Deputy Prime Minister was being used on a second home basis. This was not the former Deputy Prime Minister’s error or responsibility. New legislation for the first time gave rise to the terms of a Minister’s occupation (as main or secondary residence) having a bearing on the council tax liability.

With particular reference to the requirements of Regulation16 of the Council Tax Administration and Enforcement Regulations 1992, the Cabinet Office notified Westminster City Council within 21 days of first having reason to believe that the property was in fact subject to the second home premium.

While Westminster City Council was provided with the correct information as soon as the Cabinet Office realised it was necessary, it is regrettable that this delay occurred. The Cabinet Office is taking steps to change its internal processes to ensure this does not happen again. This was not the former Deputy Prime Minister’s error or responsibility.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2025 to Question 89453 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, on what specific date did HM Government inform Westminster City Council that the Ministerial residence was paying the wrong level of council tax.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The Government Property Agency (GPA), an executive agency of the Cabinet Office, is responsible for the administration and payment of any tax liabilities for Admiralty House. The Government Property Agency wrote to Westminster City Council in June to confirm that the former Deputy Prime Minister was residing in Admiralty House on a second home basis. Westminster City Council issued a bill applying the second home premium in July, which was paid in full the same day. The bill was paid for the full year of 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026.

The Cabinet Office accepts that it was delayed in notifying Westminster City Council that the Admiralty House flat allocated to the former Deputy Prime Minister was being used on a second home basis. This was not the former Deputy Prime Minister’s error or responsibility. It is regrettable that this delay occurred. The Cabinet Office is taking steps to change its internal processes to ensure this does not happen again.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether guidance has been provided to (a) local authorities and (b) councillors on predetermination in planning in relation to (i) Local Plans and (ii) planning applications.

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

Section 25 of the Localism Act 2011 deals with the matter of predetermination of decisions by councillors.

The Local Government Association has provided guidance for councillors as to how this applies to decisions on planning applications and local plan policy. This guidance 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 assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of planning enforcement in relation to traveller sites.

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

My Department has made no specific assessment of the effectiveness of planning enforcement in relation to traveller sites.

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 February 2026 to Question 111142 on Housing: Asylum, how many local authorities submitted an expression of interest to the new model for asylum accommodation.

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

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has not invited, nor received, expressions of interest from local authorities in relation to a new model for asylum accommodation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the process for proposed know your donor checks will be for (a) hon. Members and (b) political parties; and what role House authorities will have in the process.

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

Know Your Donor rules will be implemented alongside clear, practical support for all recipients of donations. That is why the regime is underpinned by statutory guidance issued by the Electoral Commission, which will set out how recipients of donations should assess the relevant risk factors, the kinds of circumstances that may signal a heightened level of risk and the steps they can take to reduce that risk.

To keep the system responsive to evolving threats and campaigning practices, the legislation also enables this guidance to be updated as needed.

We will continue to work closely with the Commission and relevant stakeholders as the guidance is developed.

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 reconsider the cancellation of the combined authority mayoral elections originally scheduled for May 2026.

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

Government intends to hold inaugural mayoral elections for the four Devolution Priority Programme places that are also undertaking local government reorganisation in May 2028, so that areas can complete the reorganisation process before Mayors take office. The inaugural elections will take place following the establishment of the Strategic Authorities by Secondary Legislation, which is subject to the areas consent. Devolution is strongest when it is built on firm foundations, and this extra time will allow these four areas to establish robust institutions ahead of their Mayors taking office in 2028.

Cheshire and Warrington and Cumbria have previously requested a delay of their inaugural elections to May 2027, to align with the majority of planned local elections. Both Strategic Authorities have now been established.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to allow bank cards issued without a credit check to be used as a form of voter identification.

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

I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the Representation of the People Bill 2026, which sets out which bank cards will be accepted at the polling station – this includes credit cards, charge cards, debit cards and cash withdrawal cards.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to allow prepaid currency cards to be used as a form of voter identification.

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

I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the Representation of the People Bill 2026, which sets out which bank cards will be accepted at the polling station – this includes credit cards, charge cards, debit cards and cash withdrawal cards.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what sources of data he expects the automated electoral registration system to use.

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

The government is committed to introducing more automated approaches to electoral registration over the coming years. Our ambition is to transform our electoral registration system, harnessing existing data from across government to move towards an automated system so voters can easily register to vote and keep their registration details updated.

As set out in our policy paper ‘Restoring Trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secured elections’, we are working with a number of government departments to identify data-enabled opportunities to support the overall objective of improving registration. Any changes must be tested to ensure they have a positive outcome in an already complex system, which will take time to assess.

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 February 2026, to Question 111143, on Public Houses: Business Rates, whether this requires that the Crossrail levy on pubs in London must be reduced by 15 per cent in 2026-27 compared to the 2026 initial liability following the revaluation and adjusted threshold for the Business Rate Supplement.

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 111143 on 12 February 2026.

It is for the 33 London billing authorities and the Greater London Authority to ensure that the required determinations and resulting adjustments are made to ratepayer bills in respect of BRS liabilities.

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 an assessment of the potential merits of issuing guidance to Electoral Registration Officers on (a) secrecy of the ballot and (b) other aspects of enforcement of the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.

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

Returning Officers are responsible for the conduct of elections and the Electoral Commission provides them with extensive guidance on the administration of elections. It includes guidance on polling station voting and the secrecy requirements of the poll.

The Electoral Commission is also responsible for setting standards and monitoring the performance of Returning Officers. The Commission’s performance standards specifically include ensuring polling stations are set up and staff are trained to support voters to vote independently and in secret

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing overseas electors to download postal ballot papers and send back their completed ballot.

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

The Government has no plans to allow electors to download and print their own ballot papers. All ballot papers must be uniformly printed and contain security markings in order to ensure the secrecy of the ballot and to prevent against fraud. It would not be possible to replicate this consistently if ballot papers were printed on home printers.

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 February 2026, to Question 111132, on Planning Permission: Disclosure of Information, if he will list the full title, data, local authority and reference number of the two planning applications that were subject to Section 321 directions.

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

Section 321 Directions were issued in respect of applications at:

The Pavilions, Sandy Lane, Runcorn, WA7 4EX, Halton Borough Council (Reference: 17/00468/FUL) made on 26 February 2017 and withdrawn on 17 January 2022.

Heath Business and Technical Park, Heath Road South, Runcorn, WA7 4QX, Halton Borough Council (Reference: 22/00569/OUT) made on 23 March 2024, called in for Ministerial determination on 19 September 2024, and decision issued on 9 March 2026.

Both Directions were issued at the request of the Health and Safety Executive.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent representations his Department has received from political parties on access to postal vote expiry data.

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 97526 on 15 December 2025

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of (a) legal action and (b) other expenditure arising from the decision to postpone local elections in England in May 2026.

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

As per the Secretary of State’s correspondence to the Rt. Hon. Member of 23 February, the Government has agreed to pay the claimant’s reasonable legal costs, with the final amount to be determined. Any further Government legal or administrative costs will be met in the usual way.

All local elections scheduled for May 2026 will be going ahead as planned. Spend on administering local elections is a matter for local authorities.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2026 to Question 109632 on Council tax: Valuation, what (a) geographical tools and (b) datasets are accessible within the new Valuation Office Agency Valuation Operating System.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

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 adequacy of the capacity of the Planning Inspectorate to deal with (a) national planning policy framework changes and (b) measures in the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 112059 on 24 February 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the performance of the Planning Inspectorate against its targets on planning decisions.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 112059 on 24 February 2026.

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 5 February 2026 to Question 109135 on Affordable Housing: Construction, how many acquisitions of existing properties will be permitted under the new Affordable Housing Programme.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the policy statement published by my Department on 7 November 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here.

Bidding for the Social and Affordable Homes (SAHP) Programme opened on 24 February 2026. Further information about the programme 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, with reference to the Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes to Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2026, para 5.9, if he will publish the representations from the councils.

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

The Government has no plans to publish the representations received.

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 merits of enacting the recommendations from the Law Commission on the right to manage.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. member to the answer given to Question UIN 90259 on 21 November 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written statement of 9 February 2026 on Local Government Finance Settlement 2026-27 to 2028-29, what estimate his Department has made of the total increase in Band D council tax for each of the six local authorities on which the estimated increase in council tax revenue was based in (a) 2027-28 and (b) 2028-29.

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

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer provided on 2 March to Question UIN 113733.

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 February 2026 to Question 108644 on Council tax: billing, what his planned timetable is for responding to that consultation; and whether the change on billing would require primary legislation.

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

The Government will respond to the consultation in due course. It would not require primary legislation to move to 12-month billing by default, this could be done by secondary legislation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what requirements does Pride of Place funding have to be spent on (a) capital and (b) revenue in (i) England and (ii) each other constituent nation; and whether this differs from Levelling Up Funding.

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

The government’s Pride in Place Programme will provide up to £5.8 billion of funding and support over 10 years to up to 284 places. Each community will receive up to £20 million over that period. For Phase 1 places, funding is split 75% capital and 25% revenue. For Phase 2 places, funding is split 63% capital and 37% revenue, paid to respective local authorities in line with the published funding profiles. The capital and revenue splits and funding requirements apply equally to all places selected to receive funding under the programme, in all parts of the UK.

The Levelling Up Fund was predominantly capital-focused and did not include a defined revenue allocation for capacity building and engagement.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the (a) Ministerial Envoys, (b) his Department and (c) Defending Democracy Taskforce is taking steps to help ensure the integrity of the ballot in the councillor and mayoral election in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in May 2026.

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

Security of our democratic processes is paramount, and this Government has robust systems in place to ensure the integrity of its elections.

The Joint Election Security and Preparedness unit (JESP) is leading cross-government efforts in preparation for the 2026 elections, which are taking place across the UK. JESP will stand up an election cell over the election period to monitor election security risk and be ready to stand up a response if required.

JESP has issued updated security advice and guidance to candidates and ROs in England and Wales, which brings together expertise from across the security community, including the Police, the National Protective Security Authority, National Cyber Security Centre, and others, to help candidates and ROs implement security measures and ensure the integrity of the polls.

A statutory intervention is in place in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to secure the Council’s compliance with its Best Value Duty. This is centred on a team of Ministerial Envoys who provide support and advice to the Council’s leadership team and oversee the Authority’s improvement work.

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 28 January 2026 to Questions 107021 on Housing: Asylum, whether the derelict buildings to be converted into asylum accommodation will be (a) residential, (b) commercial, (c) communal and (d) industrial.

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

Details of the fund are yet to be finalised. Once these details have been finalised, we will communicatethis to the local government sector and Parliament in the usual way.

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 28 January 2026 to Question 107021 on Housing: Asylum, how the basic accommodation will differ from council housing; and whether the asylum accommodation will be council owned.

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 103182 on 13 January 2026. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of any increase in business rate receipts will be retained by local authorities.

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

The business rates retention system was set up in 2013-14 and enables local authorities to retain a proportion of the increase in business rates income – or growth – in their local areas, above a baseline set according to individual level of need, on implementation.

For most local authorities, the proportion they retain is 50% across the local area, subject to a levy on that growth. Some authorities have arrangements meaning they retain a higher proportion of growth of up to 100%, and may pay no levy on this amount.

In 2026-27, the system was reset, meaning growth is redistributed between local authorities in line with need, as part of the Fair Funding Review 2.0, delivered through the local government finance settlement. From 2026-27, local authorities will continue to retain their proportion of new growth above their new baseline funding need, subject to a levy.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 107993 on 28 January 2026, and to Question UIN 113106 on 26 February 2026 on the specific interaction of business rates tax changes (the 2026 Revaluation, and the introduction of additional multipliers from 2026-27) on local authority income.

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 5 February 2026 to Question 109262, whether pubs which have (a) rooms and (b) conference and wedding facilities for private hire will be able to receive the full amount of the new pub relief on their full Rateable Value; and whether local authorities may (i) refuse the pub relief from being applied and (ii) only apply it in part.

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

It is for local authorities to determine whether properties are eligible for the Pub and Live Music Venues Relief as per the definitions provided by government in the guidance for local authorities published on 18 February. This can be found on gov.uk at here.

A local authority may refuse the relief if in its view the property in question does not meet the definitions as per the guidance. The relief cannot be applied to only part of the property.

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 11 February 2026 to Question 111126 on Licensing Premises: Business Rates, whether there is a statutory basis for the application of the pubs and live music rate relief.

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

The 2026/27 Pubs and Live Music Venues Relief is administered by local authorities using the powers they have to provide discretionary rate relief under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.

As set out in the local authority guidance published on 18 February 2026, the government will fully reimburse billing authorities and major precepting authorities for their loss of income under the business rates retention scheme as a result of awarding the relief.

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 of 9 February 2026 on Local Government Finance Settlement 2026-27 to 2028-29, whether he has allocated additional funding to MHCLG.

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

The final 2026-27 to 2028-29 Local Government Finance Settlement confirmed £740 million in new grant funding additional to the provisional Settlement, taking the total new grant funding delivered through the multi-year Settlement to over £4 billion. Local authority funding allocations across the three years can be found here: Core Spending Power table: final local government finance settlement 2026-27 to 2028-29 - GOV.UK.

The £740 million of additional funding is comprised of unallocated budgets for the Spending Review period and additional Exchequer funding. The Barnett formula applies to all increases or decreases to UK Government Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL).

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of the 1.5 million homes to be delivered in this Parliament will be flats.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 33286 on 3 March 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written statement of 9 February 2026 on Local Government Finance Settlement 2026-27 to 2028-29, what the profile is of the additional £740 million in grant funding over each year of the settlement; whether the funding has come from (a) unallocated budgets for the Spending Review period, (b) a reduction in other funding programmes and (c) additional Exchequer funding; and whether there will be Barnett consequentials.

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

The final 2026-27 to 2028-29 Local Government Finance Settlement confirmed £740 million in new grant funding additional to the provisional Settlement, taking the total new grant funding delivered through the multi-year Settlement to over £4 billion. Local authority funding allocations across the three years can be found here: Core Spending Power table: final local government finance settlement 2026-27 to 2028-29 - GOV.UK.

The £740 million of additional funding is comprised of unallocated budgets for the Spending Review period and additional Exchequer funding. The Barnett formula applies to all increases or decreases to UK Government Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL).

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much business rates revenue is placed into business rates pools in (a) 2024-25, (b) 2025-26 and (c) 2026-27.

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

As part of the Business Rates Retention scheme, local authorities can formally seek designation as a pool. Business rates revenue is not placed separately for these authorities, rather they are treated as a single body with the Business Rates Retention system. This allows sharing of risk and reward across a group of local authorities.

In 2024-25, there were 24 pools composed of 183 authorities. In 2025-26, there were 25 pools composed of 188 authorities. No pools have been designated for 2026-27.

National Non-Domestic Rating income for each authority in England, including those in business rates pools, is published here. Key information tables are also available for 2024-25 and 2025-26, setting out details on adjustments in the Business Rates Retention system for each pool.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, for what policy reason the day of birth would be removed from electoral ID cards in Northern Ireland under the Representation of the People Bill.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The day of birth will be removed from the electoral ID to ensure that electoral identity cards are used to prove one’s identity in order to vote, rather than as a secondary form of identification, for other purposes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Chinese Embassy development at the Royal Mint will be subject to the oversight of the Building Safety Regulator.

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

Full reasons for the decision in question are set out in the Secretary of State’s decision letter which can be found on gov.uk here. The letter and associated Inspector’s Report must be read in their entirety.

Fire safety matters are addressed at paragraphs 100-102.

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 restrictions on ground rents on levels of service charges for leaseholders.

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

Ground rent is a payment set out in a lease with no clear service provided in return. It is legally distinct from service charges.

Service charges are financial contributions made by leaseholders towards the costs of the management and maintenance of their buildings.

Where they relate to a service, they must be reasonable. Leaseholders who wish to contest the reasonableness of their service charges can make an application to the First-tier Tribunal.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much his Department has spent with Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Limited since July 2024; and for what purposes.

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

Since July 2024, £608,970 has been spent with Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Ltd in connection with contracts that the Department had, and has, with the firm.

Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Ltd provides technical planning advice relating to a number of planning decisions to be taken by the government and has provided advice that supported the work of the New Towns independent Task Force.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what business rate reliefs and multipliers apply to pubs in the City of London from 2026-27.

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

From April 2026, the government is introducing two lower business rates multipliers for qualifying Retail, Hospitality and Leisure properties (including pubs) with rateable values below £500,000. As a Special Authority, the City of London is able to levy an additional premium on top of the national multipliers. It is for the City of London to determine the additional levy.

In addition, the Greater London Authority is levying a business rate supplement of £0.02 on all properties with a rateable value of more than £92,000 from 1 April 2026, in relation to its contribution to the Crossrail project. More information on this and the city premium can be found on here: How your bill is calculated - City of London.

Pubs in the City of London will be eligible to receive the 15% Pubs and Live Music Venues Relief in 2026/27 if they meet the eligibility criteria. Further information on this relief can be found here: Business rates: Pubs and live music venues relief - GOV.UK Pubs in the City of London may also be eligible for other reliefs. Further information on business rates reliefs can be found on GOV.UK - Business rates relief: Types of business rates relief - GOV.UK.

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 13 January 2026 to Question 102774 on Islamophobia, if he will list the dates of meetings with the relevant stakeholders; and whether those meetings were with (a) officials and (b) Ministers.

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

As is standard practice in government policy making, officials undertook some limited and focused informal engagement with relevant stakeholders.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether Birmingham City Council receives Pride in Place funding.

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

The Government’s Pride in Place Programme will provide up to £5.8 billion over 10 years to 284 places, with each receiving up to £20 million in funding and support. This will serve as the cornerstone of this Government’s support for communities.

Eight neighbourhoods within Birmingham City Council’s area have been selected under Phase 2 of the Pride in Place Programme, each receiving up to £20 million over 10 years. The neighbourhoods are Hawkesley, Druids Heath, Glebe Farm, Kingstanding South East, Woodgate, Sparkbrook North, Fox Hollies and Nechells. In each area, a Neighbourhood Board made up of local residents will determine how this funding is spent, working with the local MP and Birmingham City Council to agree a Pride in Place Plan that reflects local priorities. Birmingham City Council will act as the accountable body for the funding.

Birmingham City Council has also been awarded £1.5 million through the Pride in Place Impact Fund over two years. In total, the Government has announced up to £161.5 million funding for Birmingham through the Pride in Place Programme and the Pride in Place Impact Fund. This investment will help build stronger communities, create thriving places, and enable residents to take back control of their neighbourhoods. Funding will support locally led Pride in Place plans shaped around local priorities, with each area guided by a Neighbourhood Board representing the local community to ensure that investment reflects local needs and ambitions. The Pride in Place Impact Fund will provide more immediate support over the next two years, helping to revitalise high streets and community spaces while visible improvements are delivered on the ground.

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 February 2026 to Question 108227 on Combined Authorities: Surrey, whether other strategic authorities will be given the transport and adult skill functions held by county councils; and whether its role will include adult social care.

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

The English Devolution framework and legislation set out the powers and functions to be held by strategic authorities.

Where they exist, strategic authorities become the Local Transport Authority and exercise some public transport functions, including bus franchising and responsibility for developing and implementing an area-wide Local Transport Plan. Local Authorities remain the Highways Authority for their areas. Strategic authorities are also responsible for the core Adult Skills Fund. When a new strategic authority is created, they will be conferred with the relevant functions and funding. In some cases there is a transition period where functions are held concurrently between the SA and LAs for a period.

The devolution framework does not confer any social care powers on strategic authorities. Local authorities will retain responsibility for social care provision and the changes brought about by the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will not alter this in any way.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether any staff in his Department work a four day week.

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

In response to the question of whether any staff in the Department work a four‑day week, we have interpreted this as referring to staff whose contractual hours are worked over four days per week.

On this basis, 241 headcount staff work part‑time hours (less than 1.0 FTE) arranged over four days.

Additionally there are 339 staff who work a five‑day week (1.0 FTE) over four extended days. These are staff on compressed hours arrangements on full pay.

These figures are provided on a headcount basis for active payroll staff at 31/01/2026.

Flexible working, including part‑time and compressed hours arrangements, is a positive and valuable element of the MHCLG employee offer when managed effectively and in line with business need. The Department supports flexible working where it enables delivery of business objectives while providing benefits to both the organisation and employees. Such arrangements can be particularly beneficial for staff with caring responsibilities, as well as those with health conditions. Supporting flexible working helps the Department to attract and retain a diverse and skilled workforce while enabling staff to achieve a better work‑life balance.

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 11 February 2026 to Question 111141 on Local Government Finance, how much funding the six areas will receive in (a) 2026-27 and (b) 2027-28 prior to the rescheduled elections.

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

The six areas on the Devolution Priority Programme will receive both the Mayoral Capacity Fund and the Investment Fund, which is based on population, from MHCLG in 2026/27 and 2027/28, subject to the strategic authority being established where this has not already happened. Details of the allocations methodology for Mayoral Capacity Fund can be found in the Local Government Finance Settlement. Combined, these amounts rounded to the first decimal place are as follows:

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that fire and rescue authorities are effectively assessing the fire risk of high-rise buildings.

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

Each fire and rescue authority (FRA) in England is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO), which covers fire safety in non-domestic premises, including those within high-rise buildings. The Fire and Rescue National Framework for England sets an expectation that each FRA has a management strategy and a locally determined risk-based inspection programme for enforcing compliance with the provisions of the FSO. It is for each local FRA to determine how best to allocate its resources based on an evaluation of local risks.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) independently assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of fire and rescue services. HMICFRS provides a rounded assessment of every fire and rescue service, including an assessment of its protection function, which undertakes this enforcement role.

The Government has made available £10 million in protection uplift grant funding for 2025/26. This funding enables fire and rescue services to bolster the operational capability and capacity to fulfil their vital fire protection function to keep the public safe from fire including in high-rise buildings.

The Building Safety Act 2022 established the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) which regulates higher-risk buildings (7 storeys or 18m+ with at least two residential units) in England. In 2025/26, the Government provided up to £4.4 million to support Fire and Rescue Services to recruit and train technical fire safety staff to support this work.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether pubs with hotel rooms, VOA SCAT Code 227, are eligible for the new pub rate relief.

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

Local authorities are responsible for the administration of business rates, including decisions on the awarding of various reliefs. Guidance for local authorities on the administration of the pubs and live music venues relief 2026 to 2027 was published on 18 February 2026 and can be found here. It is for local authorities to determine whether individual properties meet the definitions contained within the guidance to be eligible for the Pubs and Live Music Venues relief.

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 made an estimate of changes in the number of postal votes under the new expiry rules.

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

Information relating to postal vote applications is held by independent Electoral Registration Officers rather than the UK Government and so it is not possible to provide more information about the number of postal vote applications that were not renewed during any period. The department does not actively track trends in the level of postal vote renewals, or the number and proportion of postal vote applications that were renewed, over any period.

The Government will continue to work with the Electoral Commission and with local authorities to support independent Electoral Registration Officers with postal vote application activities.

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 commission a review into the secrecy of the ballot in the Gorton and Denton Parliamentary by-election.

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

I understand that allegations of a breach of the secret ballot have been reported to the Greater Manchester Police, and they are investigating the matter. The Electoral Commission and the Returning Officer are in contact with them and are providing assistance.

While the vast majority of people vote lawfully, any instance of coercion into revealing the nature of somebody’s ballot is unacceptable and undermines confidence in our democratic process. We will continue to work with electoral administrators and the Electoral Commission to ensure that that our polls are run smoothly, fairly, and securely. We will also continue to work with the Commission and Crimestoppers on the annual ‘Your Vote is Yours Alone’ campaign, which raises awareness amongst the electorate of the risks of voter fraud, and how to recognise and tackle it.

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 February 2026, to Question 111137, on Council tax: Tax Yields, whether there are equivalent estimates for aggregate business rate receipts in each of those years.

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

The Department collects estimated business rates receipts data annually from local authorities, the most recent data available is for 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27 and is available here.

Estimates of business rates receipts data for 2027-28 and 2028-29 have not been collected at this time. For the purpose of the Settlement, the government estimates the amount of an individual local authority’s Settlement allocation provided through the local share of business rates income. This is known as a Baseline Funding Level (BFL) which is the amount of funding that the Government determines that a local authority needs from business rates to deliver local services. The BFLs form part of Core Spending Power, core revenue funding available for local authority services through the local government finance settlement. In 2027-28 and 2028-29, BFLs will increase in line with an annual inflation measurement to reflect the annual uprating of business rates multipliers. An assumption of this was made in the multi-year Settlement to reflect this and published here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent estimate he has made of gross business rate receipts in England in (a) 2024-25, (b) 2025-26, (c) 2026-27, (d) 2027-28 and (e) 2028-29.

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

The Department collects estimated business rates receipts data annually from local authorities, the most recent data available is for 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27 and is available here.

Estimates of business rates receipts data for 2027-28 and 2028-29 have not been collected at this time. For the purpose of the Settlement, the government estimates the amount of an individual local authority’s Settlement allocation provided through the local share of business rates income. This is known as a Baseline Funding Level (BFL) which is the amount of funding that the Government determines that a local authority needs from business rates to deliver local services. The BFLs form part of Core Spending Power, core revenue funding available for local authority services through the local government finance settlement. In 2027-28 and 2028-29, BFLs will increase in line with an annual inflation measurement to reflect the annual uprating of business rates multipliers. An assumption of this was made in the multi-year Settlement to reflect this and published here.

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 made a recent assessment of trends in the number of local authorities hiring public affairs consultants for lobbying.

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

Section 26 of the Recommended Code of Practice for Local Authority Publicity (‘the Publicity Code’) states that Local authorities should not incur any expenditure in retaining the services of lobbyists for the purpose of the publication of any material designed to influence public officials, Members of Parliament, political parties or the Government to take a particular view on any issue.

Local authorities are required to have regard to the Publicity Code in coming to any decision on publicity, with is defined as any communication, in whatever form, address to the public or a section of the public.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much funding his Department plans to provide to the Local Government Association to help support disabled people hold office in local government in (a) 2024-25, (b) 2025-26 and (c) 2026-27.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

It is this government’s ambition to see more disabled people in public office. We have been clear that we will champion disabled people’s rights and work closely with them so that disabled people’s views and voices are at the heart of decision-making.

A new fund is currently being developed to assist with the additional disability-related costs of contesting elected office. More information about the fund will be announced in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2026, to Question 108650, on Gardens: Council tax, whether there is internal guidance on how gardens are valued for council tax, other than prevailing legislation.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Where a dwelling includes a garden, then this will be reflected in the valuation subject to the legislative framework. The Valuation Office Agency’s internal guidance on when gardens are included in the valuation can be found in the Council Tax Manual, published online here.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason the council tax surcharge and the ordinary council tax charge for new builds will be based on different antecedent valuation dates from April 2028.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Council Tax bands are based on the price a property could have sold for on a fixed date set in law. The High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS) is in addition to Council Tax. This will be a new charge on owners of residential property in England worth £2 million or more in 2026, taking effect in 2028. The precise antecedent valuation date for HVCTS has not yet been set in legislation.

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 commission an assessment of the impact of council tax levels on the cost of living for average households.

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

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to my answer provided on 11 February to Question UIN 110405. Final council tax referendum principles were published as part of the final settlement and are available here.

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 (a) the GLA levy and (b) higher Rateable Values from the 2026 revaluation on the business rate bills of pubs in London.

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 111143 on 12 February 2026.

Pubs in the Greater London Authority area seeing significant changes in their business rates bill as a result of the revaluation will receive support through the £4.3 billion business rates package announced at the Budget. They will also be eligible to receive the 15% Pubs and Live Music Venues Relief in 2026/27 if they meet the eligibility criteria. Further information on this relief 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, whether the council tax referendum policy decision for the six councils with no thresholds was subject to an equality impact assessment.

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

We have considered the equalities impacts of the proposals and decisions in the multi-year Settlement across the period 2026-27 to 2028-29, including the council tax referendum policy decision for the six councils with no thresholds.

Councils are responsible for deciding the level of their council tax and considering the inequalities impacts that may arise, including from additional flexibilities in referendum policy. Council tax increases may enable local authorities to provide better services, but may have a negative impact on any taxpayer struggling to pay their bill. Councils have tools to mitigate the impact, including in relation to equalities, for example, through a council tax support scheme.

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 28 January 2026 to Questions 107021 on Housing: Asylum, if he will publish any prospectus and bidding document given to local authorities in relation to the new asylum accommodation programmes and associated pilots.

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

Details of the MHCLG asylum accommodation programme have not yet been finalised and no prospectus has been provided to local authorities.

The MHCLG fund is distinct from Home Office-led reforms to the asylum estate.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether any council elections will be (a) delayed and (b) cancelled in May 2027.

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

The Government remains committed to the indicative timetable for local government reorganisation set out in July, with elections to the new councils scheduled for May 2027.

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 UK anti-corruption strategy 2025, CP 1454, of December 2025, para 88, what is the separate agreement relating to (a) the Code of Conduct and (b) Independent Oversight on local government standards.

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

The Government published its response to the consultation “Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England” in November 2025. The response sets out the Government’s intention to introduce measures including a mandatory Code of Conduct for councillors and strengthened oversight of the local government standards regime.

We intend to legislate on local government standards reforms when parliamentary time allows.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the administrative cost per year of (a) valuing and (b) collecting the Council Tax surcharge.

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

The Government has set out, in its guidance, that it will carry out a new burdens assessment to ensure local authorities are fully funded for these costs.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance he has issued to local authorities on access to empty homes council tax data held by local billing authorities.

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

The government expects precepting and billing authorities to work constructively and share data where this is appropriate. The government has not issued guidance to local authorities on accessing this information.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his Department supports the changes to council tax practiced exemptions proposed through the Property (Registration and Valuation) Bill.

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

The government will respond to this Private Members Bill in the usual way.

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 5 February 2026 to Question 108217 on Independent Review into Civil Unrest in Leicester, if he will publish the report.

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

I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87636 on 11 November 2025.

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 11 February 2026 to Question 111141 on Local Government Finance, whether any of the £200 million of funding in 2026-28 has been re-allocated to other programmes.

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

I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 4 December 2025 (HCWS1128), which confirmed that the 6 areas on the Devolution Priority Programme would each receive a proportion of their investment fund to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground ahead of the mayors taking office.

As a result - and per the standard procedures for government Departments - the remaining funding will be re-allocated, in this case for other local growth priorities.

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 January 2026 to Question 102399 on Local Government: Elections, whether the new unitary councils will be elected (a) in full and (b) by (i) halves and (ii) thirds.

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 74954 on 15 September 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2026 to Question 107997 on Council tax, valuation, if she will publish the list of Value Significant Codes.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Value Significant Codes are used internally by the Valuation Office Agency to indicate specific features that are likely to affect the value of a property – there are therefore no plans to publish these.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2026 to Question 108649 on Valuation Office Agency: Training, if she will list the titles of the 400 internal training opportunities in relation to council tax and business rates.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The VOA training modules are for internal use only and are not routinely published.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the planning use class is of a data centre; and whether change of use planning permission is required for an office to become a data centre.

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

What use class any given proposal for a data centre will fall into will depend on the individual circumstances of the case.

An application for planning permission will generally be needed in order to change use of an office to a data centre.

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 February 2026 to Question 107987 on Planning Permission, whether his Department holds a list of (a) councils with Article 4 directions in force and (b) types of development Article 4 directions apply to.

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

While Local Planning Authorities are required to send a copy of all Article 4 directions to the Secretary of State when made, my Department does not hold a record of those currently in force.

A full list of permitted development rights is set out in Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.

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 13 January 2026 to Question 105228 on Community Infrastructure Levy, whether he plans to amend (a) planning practice guidance and (b) legislation in response to the High Court decision; and whether local planning authorities still have discretion to waive CIL payments to householders.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 105228 on 21 January 2026.

Any announcements will be made to Parliament in the usual way.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent representations his Department has received on the compatibility of leasehold and commonhold reform with the European Convention of Human Rights.

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

My Department has received representations from a range of external stakeholders regarding the government’s leasehold and commonhold reform agenda. These have included representations regarding property rights.

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 20 November 2025 to Question 89939 on Leasehold: Fees and Charges, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to (a) the cap on ground rent calculations for lease extensions and (b) the changes to marriage value provisions for leases with 80 years or less remaining on the market value of leasehold properties (i) with 80 years or less and (ii) between 80 and 100 years on the lease.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 75605 on 16 September 2025.

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 January 2026 to Question 104964 on Elections, whether there are any other (a) prospectus documents, (b) calls for evidence, (c) bidding documents, (d) consultations and (e) pilot invitations sent to local authorities that have not been published on in the last 6 months.

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

There are no such documents relating to the flexible voting pilots that have not been published in the last six months.

The Government is exploring ways to make voting in person more efficient, more convenient, and better aligned with the expectations of today’s electors and the pilots are a part of this wider work. The Electoral Commission is responsible for carrying out an independent, statutory evaluation of the pilot schemes and will publish its findings.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the status is of each locality within the Devolution Priority Programme.

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

Government will establish Mayoral Strategic Authorities in the Devolution Priority Programme areas as quickly as possible following the consent of the constituent councils.

The Combined Authorities for Cumbria and Cheshire & Warrington were established on 24 February. Legislation establishing a Sussex and Brighton strategic authority has been laid before Parliament. We are firmly committed to delivering mayoral devolution as quickly as possible in the other three Devolution Priority Programme areas: Hampshire and the Solent; Norfolk and Suffolk and Greater Essex. We will continue to work closely with all Devolution Priority Programme areas.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 25 November 2025 to Question 91847 on Leisure: Business Rates, when the analysis on the effects of the multiplier arrangements will be published.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government published its assessment of the business rates retail, hospitality and leisure multipliers on the 26 November 2025, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/effects-of-the-business-rates-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-multipliers-and-high-value-multiplier/effects-of-the-business-rates-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-multipliers-and-high-value-multiplier

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 30 of the Budget 2025 policy costings document, published in November 2025, if she will make an assessment of the reasons for the change in business rate RHL multipliers between 2026-27 and 2027-28.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) multipliers being introduced from April are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties in England.

The Exchequer impact of the new RHL multipliers can be found on page 30 of the ‘Policy costings’ document, published at the Budget and found online at this address: 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, pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2026 to Question 109143 on Business Rate: Uprating, what the evidential basis is for the business rate system raising the same amount of revenue as was forecast before the Spring Budget 2025; and what the date and sources are for the previous estimate.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Business rates receipts are forecast independently by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

The previous answer that the business rates system will raise the same amount of revenue in the coming year as was forecast before the Spring Budget 2025 is based on a comparison between the OBRs pre-measures forecast at Spring Budget 2025, and forecasts for the same year at Autumn Budget 2025, which incorporates policy costings.

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 January 2026 to Question 104668 on council tax, what the monetary amount is of that national average Band D rate in 2025-26.

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

As set out in the response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0, the level of notional council tax is calculated based on the England average rather than the Band D average.

The average band D council tax level in England, including parishes in 2025-26 is £2,280. This is available to view here Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2025 to 2026 (revised) - GOV.UK.

The notional council tax values are set out in the Fair Funding share calculator.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to (a) update the Index of Dissimilarity and (b) produce other indicators of residential segregation.

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

We do not have plans to update the Index the Dissimilarity or, to produce other indicators of residential segregation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the oral statement of 27 January 2026, Official Report, Col. 770, on business rates, what the evidential basis is that around three quarters of pubs will see their bills either fall or stay the same next year; what number of bills will remain the same; and what number of pubs were at the £110k cap for RHL relief in 2025-26.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The statistic is based on analysis conducted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) using property-level data on rateable values from the Valuation Office Agency, and local authority returns on the value of reliefs and the number of properties receiving reliefs, published in MHCLG’s National Non-Domestic Rates statistics.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 5 February 2026 to Question 109139 on Business Rates: Valuation, if she will publish that analysis.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government does not routinely publish analysis and advice used during the policy making process.

Found: A PQ was tabled on 1 September 2025 by Sir James Cleverly (Con) asking why an evaluation was not completed