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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has received representations on the up to 40-day time period being used by the Planning Inspectorate to respond to correspondence.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence, including by its executive agencies. Where performance is below our standards, we have taken steps to improve the speed and quality of responses to Members and their constituents. While we have not received specific correspondence regarding the Planning Inspectorate, I will certainly ask for it to be raised with the Planning Inspectorate.