Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

We have regular engagement with local authorities on a range of issues including social cohesion and people are expected to express their views concerning religion and beliefs respectfully including exercising the appropriate restraints within the confines of the law when providing criticism.

The Department will publish data on the number of second homes liable for a council tax premium in November as part of the annual council taxbase statistics.

The government will work with the Greater London Authority to review strategic licensing powers and explore a pilot scheme, providing the Mayor of London with new powers over strategic licensing. The government and the Greater London Authority will work closely with local stakeholders to design the pilot scheme, including determining if legislation is required.

Social landlords can apply to the Building Safety Fund and the Cladding Safety Scheme for funding equivalent to (1) the amount which the social landlord would otherwise be entitled to pass on to leaseholders; or (2) the full cost of remedial works where paying those costs would render the social landlord financially unviable.

As at end March 2025, government had committed £595m to support remediation of social housing through government schemes, including funding to remove Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding.

Social landlords face barriers to accelerating remediation, including access to upfront capital. The Government has increased targeted support for social landlords applying for government remediation funding, and we will this year announce a long-term strategy for accelerating social housing remediation.

At phase 1 of the Spending Review the Government announced a £233 million increase for homelessness services, taking total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26. This includes the largest-ever investment in prevention services, enabling councils to intervene earlier with targeted support, preventing homelessness before it happens and reducing reliance on expensive, ill-equipped temporary accommodation.

As part of this investment, the Government is working with 20 local authorities with the highest levels of B&B use for temporary accommodation through a new programme of Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots. The £8 million programme will test innovative approaches and kickstart new initiatives to reduce the reliance upon the most expensive and least suitable forms of temporary accommodation.

Future funding for homelessness services is subject to the outcome of phase 2 of the Spending Review.

UK Government and Welsh Government officials are in regular contact on a range of electoral conduct and registration topics, including the Welsh Government’s pilots on automatic electoral registration.

We are exploring a wide range of options to deliver on the manifesto commitment to improve electoral registration including making greater use of public data and digital services. We are following the Welsh pilots with interest.

Homelessness levels are far too high, and I recognise the unique challenges young people face in securing stable housing. The Government has engaged with stakeholders within the youth homelessness sector to discuss the needs of this cohort as we work to develop a long-term, cross-Government homelessness strategy to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. I will be continuing this engagement with stakeholders to discuss what is needed to address youth homelessness.

Local authorities are best placed to decide how their funding is spent locally. The Government has a delivered a Settlement that begins to fix the foundations of local government by providing significant investment redirecting funding towards the services and places that need it most. The Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power on 2024-25.

Homelessness levels are far too high. This can have a devastating impact on those affected, including young people. To reduce the numbers of people experiencing homelessness, we must stop people reaching crisis point by preventing homelessness before it happens.

Youth homelessness will be considered as part of our long-term, cross-government strategy to get us back on track to ending homelessness for good.

The Government has increased funding for homelessness services by £233 million this year, taking total investment to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26. This increased spending will help to prevent rises in the number of people and families in temporary accommodation.

Future funding for homelessness services is subject to the outcome of phase 2 of the Spending Review.

The Government announced an immediate injection of £2 billion to support delivery of the biggest boost in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation at Spring Statement. This investment follows £800 million of new in-year funding made available for the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme, supporting the delivery of up to 7,800 new homes, with more than half of them being for Social Rent.

In the multi-year Spending Review later this year, the Government will set out the full details of a new grant programme to succeed the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme.

I met with the FBU General Secretary in February 2025, in preparation of fire functions being transferred from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 1 April 2025. We briefly discussed future investment in the fire and rescue service and are due to meet again shortly for further discussion. I am also due to speak at the forthcoming FBU conference. I recently met with the FBU General Secretary on 15th May.

Standalone fire and rescue authorities will see an increase in core spending power of £65.5 million in 2025/26. Including the National Insurance Contribution Grant, this is an increase of 3.6 per cent in cash terms compared to 2024/25.

I met with the FBU General Secretary in February 2025, in preparation of fire functions being transferred from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 1 April 2025. We briefly discussed future investment in the fire and rescue service and are due to meet again shortly for further discussion. I am also due to speak at the forthcoming FBU conference. I recently met with the FBU General Secretary on 15th May.

Standalone fire and rescue authorities will see an increase in core spending power of £65.5 million in 2025/26. Including the National Insurance Contribution Grant, this is an increase of 3.6 per cent in cash terms compared to 2024/25.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 36228 on 14 March 2025.

The established methodology for official statistics on housing supply utilises the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) census to improve the quality and reliability of these statistics. The census dwelling count is subject to intensive validation processes and address matching and provides the baseline for the net additional dwellings statistics.

A comparison of total dwelling stock counts between the 2021 and 2011 censuses led to adjustments to some of the net additional dwellings figures, which are used as the basis for the Housing Delivery Test (HDT).

This only affected the 2020/21 delivery year in the latest HDT 2023 statistics.

Following discussions with the ONS and with some relevant local authorities, we believe that in limited and specific cases these census adjusted figures are not appropriate to use for the purposes of the HDT. We are therefore in contact with relevant local authorities and have issued recalculations where needed.

The government does not routinely publish assessments of the factors that influence housing demand.

Boosting the supply of homes of all tenures must be at the heart of any strategy to meet housing demand which is why the government’s Plan for Change includes a hugely ambitious milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament.

The government is determined to address the dire inheritance left by its predecessor and restore order to the asylum and immigration systems, delivering lower net migration.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is not intending to bring forward legislative proposals under the Electronic Government Act (2000).

The Department is, however, undertaking a Digital Planning programme which aims to enable a modern and efficient planning system in England. This includes modern development management software delivering time savings relating to planning applications. Increased availability of high-quality, standardised data is essential for ensuring the smooth flow of information between systems.

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act includes planning data powers and MHCLG will be introducing data standards for planning applications via secondary legislation.

On 9 February, we announced action to take forward plans to digitalise the home buying and selling sector.

In collaboration with HM Land Registry, we are working with local authorities to digitise property data, introduce common data standards, and enable digital identity services for the property sector.

More information can be found on gov.uk here.

The regulations require local planning authorities to publicise all Article 4 directions made.

My Department has not issued any guidance on this.

The Environment Act 2021 requires Ministers to have ‘due regard’ to the policy statement on environmental principles when making policy. This is to ensure that environmental considerations are at the heart of policymaking across government.

Since this duty came into force in November 2023, my Department has produced environmental principles assessments on a range of different topics.

While the Department does not maintain a running list of environmental principles assessments it has undertaken, assessments have included those for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the December 2024 update to the National Planning Policy Framework.

My Department engages actively with a range of stakeholders on issues facing residents and has engaged with groups such as End Furniture Poverty to understand their research on this issue.

People in need may be able to get support from their local authorities via the ‘Household Support Fund’ and other services available locally.

The Deputy Prime Minister is also part of the ministerial Child Poverty Taskforce, which is considering the impacts of living in poor quality housing on children.

The government will consult later this year on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for the social and private rented sectors.

Representations on planning applications will be dealt with in accordance with paragraphs 18, 19 and 20 of the published propriety guidance on planning casework decisions found on gov.uk here.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 45663 on 29 April 2025.

The government has noted the view of the Court of Appeal in Mead Realisations Ltd v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government [2025] EWCA Civ 32 that the Planning Practice Guidance can in principle amend national policy. It remains the case that Planning Practice Guidance will continue to be used in a supporting role to, and consistent with, national policy. The government did not appeal this decision within the applicable time period.

The government has noted the view of the Court of Appeal in Mead Realisations Ltd v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government [2025] EWCA Civ 32 that the Planning Practice Guidance can in principle amend national policy. It remains the case that Planning Practice Guidance will continue to be used in a supporting role to, and consistent with, national policy. The government did not appeal this decision within the applicable time period.

The government will set out set details of new investment to succeed the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme at the Spending Review. This new investment will deliver a mix of homes for sub-market rent and homeownership, with a particular focus on delivering homes for social rent.

A new clause (NC39) was tabled by my Department as an amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and has been incorporated into it in PBL Committee.

This will allow the government to set a surcharge on planning fees to fund the costs incurred by key statutory consultees in England of advising on planning applications.

Details of its operation will be set out in regulations, following consultation.

The 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement, published on 3 February by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG), sets out funding allocations for all local authorities, including Fire and Rescue Authorities. Standalone Fire and Rescue Authorities will see an increase in core spending power of £65.5m in 2025/26. Including the National Insurance Contribution Grant, this is an increase of 3.6 per cent in cash terms compared to 2024/25. Decisions on how their resources are best deployed to meet their core functions are a matter for each Fire and Rescue Authority.

MHCLG also supports fire and rescue authorities in responding to flood incidents by providing national resilience High Volume Pump (HVP) capability comprising 45 HVPs.

Additionally, since 2024 the government has funded a national resilience wildfire advisor to consider whether additional national wildfire capabilities might be needed within the Fire and Rescue Services and to increase the coordination approaches across the sector.

The Government will continue to work closely with stakeholders across the sector to ensure Fire and Rescue Services have the resources they need to protect communities.

The 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement, published on 3 February by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG), sets out funding allocations for all local authorities, including Fire and Rescue Authorities. Standalone Fire and Rescue Authorities will see an increase in core spending power of £65.5m in 2025/26. Including the National Insurance Contribution Grant, this is an increase of 3.6 per cent in cash terms compared to 2024/25. Decisions on how their resources are best deployed to meet their core functions are a matter for each Fire and Rescue Authority.

MHCLG also supports fire and rescue authorities in responding to flood incidents by providing national resilience High Volume Pump (HVP) capability comprising 45 HVPs.

Additionally, since 2024 the government has funded a national resilience wildfire advisor to consider whether additional national wildfire capabilities might be needed within the Fire and Rescue Services and to increase the coordination approaches across the sector.

The Government will continue to work closely with stakeholders across the sector to ensure Fire and Rescue Services have the resources they need to protect communities.

Economic growth is the number one mission of this Government. We are giving local leaders, including mayors in cities in the North of England, the tools they need to improve local infrastructure and increase economic growth in their areas by devolving power and money from central government. We are investing in programmes which drive growth and will set out our refreshed vision for local growth funding at the multi-year Spending Review.

Firefighters play a vital role in keeping the public safe and we are grateful for the work undertaken by fire and rescue services across the country in support of their local communities.

The 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement, published on 3 February by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG), sets out funding allocations for all local authorities, including Fire and Rescue Authorities. Standalone Fire and Rescue Authorities will see an increase in core spending power of £65.5m in 2025/26. Including the National Insurance Contribution Grant, this is an increase of 3.6 per cent in cash terms compared to 2024/25.

Decisions on how resources, including staff, are best deployed to meet their core functions, including meeting response times, is a matter for each Fire and Rescue Authority, based on risks identified within local Community Risk Management Plans. This includes ensuring that their Fire and Rescue Service has sufficiently trained, qualified and competent persons to meet their legislated functional requirements.

Firefighters play a vital role in keeping the public safe and we are grateful for the work undertaken by fire and rescue services across the country in support of their local communities.

The 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement, published on 3 February by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG), sets out funding allocations for all local authorities, including Fire and Rescue Authorities. Standalone Fire and Rescue Authorities will see an increase in core spending power of £65.5m in 2025/26. Including the National Insurance Contribution Grant, this is an increase of 3.6 per cent in cash terms compared to 2024/25.

Decisions on how resources, including staff, are best deployed to meet their core functions, including meeting response times, is a matter for each Fire and Rescue Authority, based on risks identified within local Community Risk Management Plans. This includes ensuring that their Fire and Rescue Service has sufficiently trained, qualified and competent persons to meet their legislated functional requirements.

External Wall System (EWS1) forms are not a legal or regulatory requirement in any circumstance.

My Department works closely with the mortgage lending industry to understand the challenges in the market for flats affected by fire safety issues, and we are encouraging mortgage lenders (banks and building societies) to move away from the use of EWS1s as a valuation tool, as some mortgage lenders are already doing. I met major mortgage lenders last month to reiterate this, and ask that they accept alternative evidence, for example the building’s Fire Risk Assessment (which the Responsible Person for a building is legally required to conduct) or, Fire Risk Appraisal of the External Wall.

I welcome the recently updated joint statement on cladding, signed by 10 major mortgage lenders, confirming they will consider lending on properties in buildings 11 metres and above, where the building is in a remediation scheme or the property is protected by the leaseholder protections in the Building Safety Act and the leaseholder has completed a ‘Leaseholder Deed of Certificate’ to evidence it. An EWS1 form should not be required in these scenarios.

The Department’s spending for each year is published through annual reports. You can find links to these here: 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24. The 2024/25 annual report will be published in due course. The Government spent over £873 million on homelessness and rough sleeping in 2024/25.

You can find details of homelessness and rough sleeping allocations for 2025/26 here.

The Government recognises the vital role of community spaces in Leicester and in England as a whole and wants to see them thrive. The Assets of Community Value (ACV) scheme provides communities with a route to nominate any building or land which furthers the social wellbeing or interests of the community and bid to buy the ACV to protect it for community use. Alongside this the Community Asset Transfer scheme, which supports the transfer of ownership and/or management of publicly owned land and assets from a local authority to a community organisation.

As part of the English Devolution Bill, we will legislate to introduce a strong new ‘right to buy’ for valued community assets which will empower local people to bring community spaces back into community ownership.

Economic growth is the number one priority for this Government and the Plan for Change. Oxford offers huge economic potential for the UK’s growth prospects which will not only benefit the wider region but also help drive growth in every corner of the country by creating jobs, boosting living standards, and putting more money into working people’s pockets.

The Oxford Growth Commission will support the delivery of infrastructure, housing and employment to unleash Oxford’s and Oxfordshire’s economic power and is a key part of government’s commitment to unlock growth in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and the high potential sectors within it.

The Commission is jointly supported by MHCLG, Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council alongside the Universities and local business. Future departmental budgets will be set at the upcoming Spending Review.

Local housing authorities report their homelessness activities under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) by completing the quarterly Homelessness Case Level Information Collection (H-CLIC) statistical return. You can find a link to the latest data, commentary and technical notes on collections here Research and statistics - GOV.UK.

The Inter-Ministerial Group on homelessness meets as often as is required to develop the Government’s long-term homelessness strategy. The most recent meeting took place on Tuesday 13 May 2025.

I refer the Noble Lord to the Terms of Reference for the Working Group.

I refer the Noble Lord to the Terms of Reference for the Working Group.

This information is not held.

The government has been clear that there is no blasphemy law in England, and we will not introduce one. Everyone has a fundamental right to freedom of speech. All language adopted by government must be accurate and acknowledge British citizens’ unchanging right to freedom of speech and expression.

The UK government is committed to promoting our trade and business ties with Israel and strongly opposes boycotts. The Cabinet Office has published guidance to public authorities prohibiting procurement boycotts against Israeli firms and firms which trade with Israel. MHCLG has not issued separate guidance on this matter.

The boundaries of Freeport tax sites are defined in law. They were agreed, after careful deliberation, by the Government and local Freeport partners, including the relevant local authorities. The Government currently has no plans to amend the boundaries of Freeport tax sites.

The department has not yet awarded funding to any charities or other organisations via the Combatting Hate Against Muslims Fund.

The deadline for submitting applications to the fund is 18 May. Funding will be awarded in July 2025. Further information can be found in the fund’s prospectus, published on gov.uk here.

The 2025-26 Local Government Finance Settlement begins to fix the foundations of local government by targeting additional funding to places with greatest need and demand for services (using deprivation as a proxy for this), and less ability to raise income locally, through a new Recovery Grant, worth £600 million. Through the Settlement, places with a significant rural population will on average receive almost a 6% increase in their Core Spending Power next year, which is a real terms increase.

Broader redistribution of funding will follow from 2026-27 and we are committed to fundamentally reforming how we assess need to ensure funding is distributed to where it is needed most. The government will use the best available evidence to assess differences in the need for local government services – including deprivation – and resources available to local authorities.