Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Communities and Local Government, what was the per capita funding for Fire and Rescue services in Cambridgeshire each year since 2001/2002.

The government calculates the funding available to each Fire and Rescue Authority as a single figure - their core spending power - rather than per capita. In 2025/26, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Authority will have core spending power of £40.3 million. Including the National Insurance Contribution Grant, this is an increase of £1.8 million (4.7 per cent) on 2024/25.Relevant data to allow for the per capita calculation can be accessed here:Key information table for local authorities: final local government finance settlement 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UKNomis - Query Tool - Population estimates - local authority based by single year of age

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to question 46975 on Housing: Construction, what is the definition of a trailblazer site at Wyton.

In March, the government established a new taskforce to support the release of surplus public sector land for housing.Unused land will be identified, developed, and released by a cross-government collaboration, which will focus on getting it back into productive use as quickly as possible by removing barriers that have prevented houses coming forward at pace on vacant public land for too long.This ambitious new partnership approach will explore new delivery models, establish collaborative agreements between the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Homes England, Network Rail and other government bodies, bring in the private sector – ultimately getting spades in the ground sooner to deliver homes faster, making the dream of homeownership a reality for many.The early MOD sites selected as a focus for acceleration include Deverell Barracks in Ripon, Chetwynd Barracks in Nottinghamshire and Wyton Airfield in Cambridgeshire. All of these sites have significant potential for new homes.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 29th April 2025 to Question 47888 on Fire and Rescue Services: Finance, whether population (a) density and (b) sparsity is taken into account when calculating fire and rescue services funding.

Both population density and sparsity are key components of the current fire funding formula. The Government recognises that the formula is outdated. As such, this formula is currently being reviewed as part of Local Government funding reform and a public consultation on this ran from 18 December 2024 to 12 February 2025.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 34056 on Fire and Rescue Services: Finance, how funding for Fire and Rescue Authorities is distributed through the Settlement Funding Assessment.

The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement, including funding for Fire and Rescue Authorities, is distributed through the Settlement Funding Assessment (SFA). The SFA uses a range of formulas to determine relative need of areas which when combined with a measure of tax base, determines their relative income. The formula used for Fire and Rescue Authorities includes variables such as population, coastline, population density, sparsity, deprivation, high-risk areas, property/societal factors, and a community fire safety top-up. Further details on the current funding methodology for Fire and Rescue Authorities can be online, within the ‘Calculation of 2013/14 Formula Funding’ linked here. The current system for funding local authorities, is out of date, does not represent best value for taxpayers, and without action this will get worse. That is why after years of delays, we will update the local government finance system. We sought views on our principles and objectives for funding reform, including the approach to updating the data in the fire and rescue services Relative Needs Formula, through a consultation which ran from 18 December 2024 - 12 February 2025. A second consultation will run following the Spending Review which will seek views on a detailed approach to determining new funding allocations for local authorities, including fire and rescue services.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 34056 on Fire and Rescue Services: Finance, how the growth in population since the 2013 projected population size is accounted for in current funding allocations.

The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement, including funding for Fire and Rescue Authorities, is distributed through the Settlement Funding Assessment (SFA). The SFA uses a range of formulas to determine relative need of areas which when combined with a measure of tax base, determines their relative income. The formula used for Fire and Rescue Authorities includes variables such as population, coastline, population density, sparsity, deprivation, high-risk areas, property/societal factors, and a community fire safety top-up. Further details on the current funding methodology for Fire and Rescue Authorities can be online, within the ‘Calculation of 2013/14 Formula Funding’ linked here. The current system for funding local authorities, is out of date, does not represent best value for taxpayers, and without action this will get worse. That is why after years of delays, we will update the local government finance system. We sought views on our principles and objectives for funding reform, including the approach to updating the data in the fire and rescue services Relative Needs Formula, through a consultation which ran from 18 December 2024 - 12 February 2025. A second consultation will run following the Spending Review which will seek views on a detailed approach to determining new funding allocations for local authorities, including fire and rescue services.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 34056 on Fire and Rescue Services: Finance, how the 2013 population projections from the 2011 census data were calculated.

The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement, including funding for Fire and Rescue Authorities, is distributed through the Settlement Funding Assessment (SFA). The SFA uses a range of formulas to determine relative need of areas which when combined with a measure of tax base, determines their relative income. The formula used for Fire and Rescue Authorities includes variables such as population, coastline, population density, sparsity, deprivation, high-risk areas, property/societal factors, and a community fire safety top-up. Further details on the current funding methodology for Fire and Rescue Authorities can be online, within the ‘Calculation of 2013/14 Formula Funding’ linked here. The current system for funding local authorities, is out of date, does not represent best value for taxpayers, and without action this will get worse. That is why after years of delays, we will update the local government finance system. We sought views on our principles and objectives for funding reform, including the approach to updating the data in the fire and rescue services Relative Needs Formula, through a consultation which ran from 18 December 2024 - 12 February 2025. A second consultation will run following the Spending Review which will seek views on a detailed approach to determining new funding allocations for local authorities, including fire and rescue services.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 34056 on Fire and Rescue Services: Finance, what data his Department plans to use.

The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement, including funding for Fire and Rescue Authorities, is distributed through the Settlement Funding Assessment (SFA). The SFA uses a range of formulas to determine relative need of areas which when combined with a measure of tax base, determines their relative income. The formula used for Fire and Rescue Authorities includes variables such as population, coastline, population density, sparsity, deprivation, high-risk areas, property/societal factors, and a community fire safety top-up. Further details on the current funding methodology for Fire and Rescue Authorities can be online, within the ‘Calculation of 2013/14 Formula Funding’ linked here. The current system for funding local authorities, is out of date, does not represent best value for taxpayers, and without action this will get worse. That is why after years of delays, we will update the local government finance system. We sought views on our principles and objectives for funding reform, including the approach to updating the data in the fire and rescue services Relative Needs Formula, through a consultation which ran from 18 December 2024 - 12 February 2025. A second consultation will run following the Spending Review which will seek views on a detailed approach to determining new funding allocations for local authorities, including fire and rescue services.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 34056 on Fire and Rescue Services: Finance, how the Fair Funding Review will mean funding differs from the existing funding arrangements.

The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement, including funding for Fire and Rescue Authorities, is distributed through the Settlement Funding Assessment (SFA). The SFA uses a range of formulas to determine relative need of areas which when combined with a measure of tax base, determines their relative income. The formula used for Fire and Rescue Authorities includes variables such as population, coastline, population density, sparsity, deprivation, high-risk areas, property/societal factors, and a community fire safety top-up. Further details on the current funding methodology for Fire and Rescue Authorities can be online, within the ‘Calculation of 2013/14 Formula Funding’ linked here. The current system for funding local authorities, is out of date, does not represent best value for taxpayers, and without action this will get worse. That is why after years of delays, we will update the local government finance system. We sought views on our principles and objectives for funding reform, including the approach to updating the data in the fire and rescue services Relative Needs Formula, through a consultation which ran from 18 December 2024 - 12 February 2025. A second consultation will run following the Spending Review which will seek views on a detailed approach to determining new funding allocations for local authorities, including fire and rescue services.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 34056 on Fire and Rescue Services: Finance, how population (a) density and (b) sparsity will be updated to use the most up to date data.

The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement, including funding for Fire and Rescue Authorities, is distributed through the Settlement Funding Assessment (SFA). The SFA uses a range of formulas to determine relative need of areas which when combined with a measure of tax base, determines their relative income. The formula used for Fire and Rescue Authorities includes variables such as population, coastline, population density, sparsity, deprivation, high-risk areas, property/societal factors, and a community fire safety top-up. Further details on the current funding methodology for Fire and Rescue Authorities can be online, within the ‘Calculation of 2013/14 Formula Funding’ linked here. The current system for funding local authorities, is out of date, does not represent best value for taxpayers, and without action this will get worse. That is why after years of delays, we will update the local government finance system. We sought views on our principles and objectives for funding reform, including the approach to updating the data in the fire and rescue services Relative Needs Formula, through a consultation which ran from 18 December 2024 - 12 February 2025. A second consultation will run following the Spending Review which will seek views on a detailed approach to determining new funding allocations for local authorities, including fire and rescue services.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 34056 on Fire and Rescue Services: Finance, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of population (a) density and (b) sparsity on fire and rescue services funding.

Government funding for fire and rescue services is provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) through the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) in the form of revenue support grant (RSG) and retained business rates. The 2025/26 LGFS was published on 3 February and sets out funding allocations for all local authorities including fire and rescue. 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. In 2025/26, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Authority will have core spending power of £40.3 million; an increase of £1.8 million (4.7 per cent) on 2024/25. The amount of funding that fire and rescue services receive is determined and distributed using an outdated formula. This formula is currently being reviewed as part of Local Government funding reform and a public consultation on this ran from 18 December 2024 to 12 February 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what the per capita funding was for fire and rescue services (a) nationally and (b) in Cambridgeshire in each financial year since 2013-14.

Government funding for fire and rescue services is provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) through the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) in the form of revenue support grant (RSG) and retained business rates. The 2025/26 LGFS was published on 3 February and sets out funding allocations for all local authorities including fire and rescue. 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. In 2025/26, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Authority will have core spending power of £40.3 million; an increase of £1.8 million (4.7 per cent) on 2024/25. The amount of funding that fire and rescue services receive is determined and distributed using an outdated formula. This formula is currently being reviewed as part of Local Government funding reform and a public consultation on this ran from 18 December 2024 to 12 February 2025.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 34056 on Fire and Rescue Services: Finance, whether the funding formula has been adjusted to take into account (a) new housing developments, (b) new major roads, (c) battery storage for large scale solar farms and (d) other large scale infrastructure developments since the 2013-14 financial year.

Government funding for fire and rescue services is provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) through the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) in the form of revenue support grant (RSG) and retained business rates. The 2025/26 LGFS was published on 3 February and sets out funding allocations for all local authorities including fire and rescue. 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. In 2025/26, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Authority will have core spending power of £40.3 million; an increase of £1.8 million (4.7 per cent) on 2024/25. The amount of funding that fire and rescue services receive is determined and distributed using an outdated formula. This formula is currently being reviewed as part of Local Government funding reform and a public consultation on this ran from 18 December 2024 to 12 February 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what proportion of new homes will be built on surplus military land over the next four years.

The Secretary of State for Defence has identified the long-term opportunity to build over 100,000 homes on surplus defence land, improving opportunities for homeownership and creating jobs across the country. This includes a commitment to building and modernising family homes for the Armed Forces and Veterans, delivering on our commitments to British families and our Armed Forces.Work is underway with HM Treasury, the Ministry of Defence, and Homes England to establish opportunities to accelerate delivery with trailblazer sites at Ripon, Chilwell and Wyton.It is not possible to indicate the exact proportion of new homes that will be delivered on surplus military land over the next four years

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing legislation to require local authorities to allocate social housing with flooring installed.

There is currently no legislation requiring social housing landlords, including local authorities, to provide floor coverings. This is discretionary and landlords are not required to remove floor coverings when a home is let to new tenants. My Department engages actively with stakeholders on issues facing social housing tenants, such as the provision of floor coverings, and has engaged with End Furniture Poverty to understand their research on this issue. We will be consulting this year on a reformed Decent Homes Standard. People currently living without floor coverings may be able to get support from their local authorities via the ‘Household Support Fund’ and other services available locally.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment has she made of the potential merits of using a Special Development Order in order to speed up delivery of the new Universal Studios Theme Park in Bedfordshire.

No proposal has been submitted to the Secretary of State. Should the Secretary of State receive such a proposal then she will consider the case on its individual merits.

Communities and Local Government, how many (a) phones, (b) laptops and (c) other electronic devices have been lost by their Department since 5 July 2024.

The following table includes the number of lost department-issued devices by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government since 5 July 2024. Breakdown of department-issued equipment typeNumber of lost itemsMobile phones16Laptops14Other electronic devices - please specifyNIL

Communities and Local Government, how many military personnel were tasked via military aid to the civilian authorities to support the refuse collection strike in Birmingham.

The government has been supporting Birmingham City Council in its efforts to address the backlog of waste that had been building up on the city’s streets, and significant progress has been made in the last fortnight. This support has included the three office-based military personnel with logistical expertise that were made available to the council to assist with planning. They have now returned to normal duties. We are grateful to our colleagues in the MoD for their support. We are working with the Council on options to address further costs arising from the industrial action

Communities and Local Government, what restrictions are in place that prevent people from becoming a local councillor due to (a) criminal convictions and (b) any other reason.

Candidates must declare anything that might disqualify them from standing for or holding local office, not doing so is a criminal offence. Certain criminal convictions will disqualify an individual from local government, such as criminal convictions that result in a custodial sentence of three months or more, suspended or not, and convictions for sexual offences. I refer the honourable Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 41451 and UIN 42252 respectively. Further disqualifications exist that can apply to convictions for illegal or corrupt electoral practice, intimidatory offences motivated by hostility towards a candidate, campaigner or holder of elective office, and non-disclosure of pecuniary interests. Other disqualifications exist that apply in circumstances not relating to criminal convictions. The Electoral Commission publishes guidance for candidates on the relevant qualifications and disqualifications for local government online.

Communities and Local Government, what the cost was charged to the local authority by the Ministry of Defence for the military personnel tasked via military aid to the civilian authorities to support the refuse collection strike in Birmingham.

The government has been supporting Birmingham City Council in its efforts to address the backlog of waste that had been building up on the city’s streets, and significant progress has been made in the last fortnight. This support has included the three office-based military personnel with logistical expertise that were made available to the council to assist with planning. They have now returned to normal duties. We are grateful to our colleagues in the MoD for their support. We are working with the Council on options to address further costs arising from the industrial action

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 43777, what proportion of the total number of bedspaces were available for men.

This government is committed to supporting victims of domestic abuse, including male victims. Local authorities, under their statutory duties under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, are required to assess the need for and provide support for all victims of domestic abuse and their children while in safe accommodation, including male victims. It is for local authorities to commission services based on local need. The Department collects data on the number of refuge bedspaces and the number of individuals, including male victims, that receive support in safe accommodation. This data is published annually: the most recent data can be found here. This data does not break down bedspace provision by gender-specific accommodation. According to Women's Aid 2025 Annual Audit report, there were 50 refuges in England with bedspaces for men in May 2024, an increase of 11 from the previous year.