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 her Department's press release entitled Shake up of tech and AI usage across NHS and other public services to deliver plan for change, published on 21 January 2025, what changes are being made to the requirement to publish statutory notices in local newspapers.

Planning law requires local planning authorities to publicise planning applications through various means, including site notices, advertisements in local newspapers, and publishing information on their website.

The government are exploring ways to enhance community engagement in the planning system, including by leveraging digital platforms.