Every parliamentary written question tabled by David Simmonds this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 161–180 of 874 · this parliament
Whether residential properties subject to the annual tax on enveloped dwellings are required to pay the high value council tax surcharge.
If a residential property currently attracts the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings and is above the threshold for the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, it will pay both.
What discussions she has had with the police on stationing police officers near polling stations in areas with previous instances of disorder, intimidation and undue influence.
Government is in close contact with partners, including police, to ensure the integrity of the local elections.The decisions on the deployment of officers at polling stations is a matter for the police and Ministers cannot not intervene in any operational decisions. To do so would undermine the principle that the police are entirely independent of Government.The police have a range of powers to deal with any behaviour that causes harassment, alarm or distress to others. The Government fully supports the police in their use of these powers to maintain public order and keep communities safe.
With reference to the answer of 6 March 2026 to Question HL14718 on Public Bodies: Human Rights, whether an (a) equality impact, (b) human rights, (c) regulatory impact and (d) environmental principles assessment has been produced for amending police powers on unauthorised traveller encampments.
The Government takes all necessary steps to ensure that legislation is developed in line with its statutory obligations and established processes, including the need to act compatibly with human rights.In response to the declaration of incompatibility made by the High Court in May 2024, the Government brought forward an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to reduce the no‑return period from twelve months to three months, addressing the incompatibility identified by the Court while retaining appropriate enforcement powers in relation to unauthorised encampments.The human rights implications of the amendment were considered as part of the usual Bill process, including through the published European Convention on Human Rights memorandum for the Crime and Policing Bill.The Government will consider equality impacts and other statutory duties in line with its usual processes.
Pursuant to the answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 119316 on Strategic Migration Partnerships: Finance, what the (a) grant programme codes, (b) grant programme titles and (c) award dates were of payments to strategic migration partnerships in 2024-25.
The Home Office does not currently publish information relating to Strategic Migration Partnerships for 2024-25, previous years funding can be found here: Government Grants Data and Statistics
If she will publish the most recent version of the Valuation Office Agency's Property Details Guide.
There are no plans to publish the Valuation Office’s Property Details Guide at this time.
Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 119316 Strategic Migration Partnerships: Finance, what the nature of the sensitivity is.
The Home Office have Grant Agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place with Strategic Migration Partnerships in 12 regions/nations in the UK. Strategic Migration Partnerships provide leadership and coordination on migration for Asylum and Resettlement. Each Strategic Migration Partnership is awarded funding to carry out delivery of the outcomes under Asylum and Resettlement workstreams set out in the Grant and MOU. Funding is allocated individually to each SMP, and the details of each funding allocation is not shared amongst SMPs other than the recipient due to the agreement being made between the Home Office and recipient and varies in allocation amount.
What the (a) budget and (b) forecast cost is of the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs.
As set out in the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry, published on 31 March 2026, the final report of the Inquiry must be submitted to the Home Secretary by 31 March 2029. It is supported by a £65 million budget.In addition, within three months of the formal setting up date of the Inquiry, the Chair and Panel must determine what must be delivered within this timeframe and budget and agree that assessment with the Home Secretary.
With reference to the answer of 19 March 2026 to Question HL15251 on Business Rates, whether devolved Administrations will receive Barnett consequential funding for pub and live music relief; and whether the figures cited are for England only.
Business rates are a devolved tax. Details on business rates receipts in England can be found on page 112 of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s March 2026 Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The Barnett formula applied in the normal way, as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy, to changes in business rates revenue. A breakdown of Barnett consequentials for the Devolved Governments as a result of decisions at Spring Forecast will be reflected in the next iteration of the Block Grant Transparency publication.
What estimate she has made of gross business rate receipts in (a) England and (b) the United Kingdom in (i) 2024-25, (ii) 2025-26 and (iii) 2026-27 following changes to pub and live music relief.
Business rates are a devolved tax. Details on business rates receipts in England can be found on page 112 of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s March 2026 Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The Barnett formula applied in the normal way, as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy, to changes in business rates revenue. A breakdown of Barnett consequentials for the Devolved Governments as a result of decisions at Spring Forecast will be reflected in the next iteration of the Block Grant Transparency publication.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the change to the Housing Ombudsman Service's level of fees on the financial burden on local authorities; and what steps he will take to encourage the Housing Ombudsman Service to consult in a more timely fashion with local authorities on potential changes to annual fees in the next financial year.
Following consultation, the Housing Ombudsman published its 2026-27 Business Plan on 15 April. Both the final Business Plan and a consultation response summary can be found on the Housing Ombudsman’s website here.Fees will be increased to £9.64 per home in 2026-27 to deal with ongoing increases in demand.The Business Plan also makes clear that in 2026-27 the Housing Ombudsman will undertake a discovery exercise on alternative fee models that recognise positive complaint handling to potentially replace the per home charge and will work with my Department to support an earlier consultation.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the letter from the Secretary of State to the Leader of HM Opposition, dated 21 March 2026, how much and what proportion of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme is currently funded in the Spending Review.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 60128 on 4 July 2025.
With reference to the publication MHCLG: spending over £25,000, January 2026, published on 25 February 2026, if she will set out the purpose and specific activity relating to the transaction CFO & Corporate Coram(Thomas Coram Foundation), Ref: 5105609031, Research, for £37,075.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 January 2026 to Question 97134 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Departmental Responsibilities, for what reason the Secretary of State's attendance at the Labour YIMBY event on 28 October 2025 was not listed in (a) Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Ministers' Hospitality - October 2025 and (b) MHCLG: ministerial meetings, October to December 2025.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to reverse the interpretation of Environmental Impact Assessment law on carbon emissions created by the Supreme Court ruling of R (on the application of Finch on behalf of the Weald Action Group) (Appellant) v Surrey County Council and others (Respondents) UKSC/2022/0064.
The government will continue to support the appropriate application of the judgment in the case of R (on the application of Finch on behalf of the Weald Action Group) (Appellant) v Surrey County Council and others (Respondents). Consideration of the judgment and wider case law will form part of the development of Environmental Outcomes Reports to provide clarity as to the nature of assessment required for different types of development.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's document entitled Environmental Outcomes Reports: a new approach to environmental assessment - government response, updated on 13 March 2026, whether he intends to incorporate Habitats Regulation assessments into the Environmental Outcomes Reports regime using powers under Section 164 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.
Through the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, the previous government secured powers to bring forward a new domestic framework to replace the current EIA and SEA environmental assessment regimes. The purpose of Section 164 of that Act is to allow Environmental Outcomes Reports Regulations to manage interactions with existing environmental assessment legislation, including the Habitats Regulations. Detailed arrangements for how Environmental Outcome Reports will operate will be set out in regulations and guidance. The government will consult on these draft regulations in due course following policy development and engagement with key stakeholders. Until a new system is implemented, existing legislation on environmental assessment and its supporting guidance continues to apply.
Communities and Local Government, if he will set out the process of deciding boundaries for shadow unitary authority elections in 2027, including in those existing districts which will be split between two proposed unitary authorities.
The Department is liaising closely with the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (the Commission). The Secretary of State invited the Commission to respond as a named consultee on all proposals received that involved boundary change requests splitting districts between new unitary councils. With regard to electoral boundaries within new councils, these will be reflected in the Structural Changes Order that establishes them, once Ministers have decided which proposals to implement. For the first elections, anticipated in May 2027, we ask councils to provide us with their suggested interim warding arrangements for inclusion in the structural changes order, based on existing wards, divisions or, where appropriate, parishes. The Commission can offer advice and guidance to councils as they draw up these boundaries. The Commission intend to undertake a full electoral review of all new councils after their first election and before their second.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's document entitled Environmental Outcomes Reports: a new approach to environmental assessment - government response, updated 13 March 2026, whether the new Environmental Outcomes Reports will monitor Scope (a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 carbon emissions.
Through the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, the previous government secured powers to bring forward a new domestic framework to replace the current EIA and SEA environmental assessment regimes. The purpose of Section 164 of that Act is to allow Environmental Outcomes Reports Regulations to manage interactions with existing environmental assessment legislation, including the Habitats Regulations. Detailed arrangements for how Environmental Outcome Reports will operate will be set out in regulations and guidance. The government will consult on these draft regulations in due course following policy development and engagement with key stakeholders. Until a new system is implemented, existing legislation on environmental assessment and its supporting guidance continues to apply.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's factsheet, Political Donations Overview: existing rules and what is changing, of 2 March 2026, what assessment his Department made of the potential impact of the new corporate donation rules on the ability of all political parties to raise corporate sponsorship at their annual party political conferences.
In terms of small, micro, and unlimited companies, where statements are not available on Companies House the company must provide revenue statements to political parties in order to make a donation.As set out in Representation of the People Bill Impact Assessment, Table 8, we estimate that around 26% - 29% of donations from companies made in the year prior to the 2024 General Election would not meet the permissibility criteria. All businesses, including small businesses, will need to meet strict new criteria in order to make political donations. Requiring donors to demonstrate a genuine UK connection is key in protecting against foreign actors from using shell companies to channel foreign or illicit money into UK politics.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the factsheet entitled Political Donations Overview: existing rules and what is changing, how political parties should establish the audited revenues of small and micro-companies, and unlimited companies, under the new proposed corporate political donation regime.
In terms of small, micro, and unlimited companies, where statements are not available on Companies House the company must provide revenue statements to political parties in order to make a donation.As set out in Representation of the People Bill Impact Assessment, Table 8, we estimate that around 26% - 29% of donations from companies made in the year prior to the 2024 General Election would not meet the permissibility criteria. All businesses, including small businesses, will need to meet strict new criteria in order to make political donations. Requiring donors to demonstrate a genuine UK connection is key in protecting against foreign actors from using shell companies to channel foreign or illicit money into UK politics.
Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has issued guidance to local authorities on the flying of flags on buildings which are designated polling stations on polling day.
The independent Electoral Commission is responsible for issuing guidance to Returning Officers, including on the appropriateness of the flying of flags in and around polling stations.