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 support local planning authorities to process applications for employment land and commercial development more efficiently.

The MHCLG Digital Planning Programme is developing data standards for planning applications and supporting the adoption of modern planning software to make the planning process smoother, faster, and more efficient. Further detail on the programme can be found on gov.uk here.

I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 112629 on 2 March 2026.