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 news story entitled Appointment of Mo Baines as Lead Non-Executive Director, published on 15 May 2026, whether Mo Baines was appointed by open and fair competition, and whether she made a declaration of previous political activity under the Governance Code for Public Appointments.

Mo Baines was appointed via fair and open competition and provided a full declaration of interests to MHCLG prior to her appointment as Lead Non-Executive Director. This was shared with the Department in line with the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies.