Written questions by Cleverly.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of trends in the level of unauthorised traveller sites undertaking development on (a) weekends and (b) bank holidays to avoid Temporary Stop Notices; and if he will allow those notices to be (i) issued and (ii) enforced after that development.

It is for local planning authorities to determine whether to enforce against unauthorised development and to keep records of their enforcement activities. The government does not collect granular data on unauthorised development by type. We have published guidance on various planning enforcement matters, including Temporary Stop Notices, and this is available on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department is taking steps to help ensure that the formal legal names of new (a) strategic authorities and (b) unitary councils reflect (i) local identities and (ii) long-standing associations.

The names of Strategic Authorities are decided in discussion with the constituent councils. While the Government has not asked for names of new unitary councils to be included in proposals, we have set out that councils are welcome to include names. The Government will consult on final proposals before deciding on which, if any, proposal to implement. Views on names could be provided through those consultations. The secondary legislation that establishes a new unitary council will specify various matters, including the name. Representations will be sought from councils on those matters before the secondary legislation is agreed by the Minister and laid in Parliament. Once established, new authorities will have the ability to change their name by resolution, should they wish to, using existing legislation.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85794 on Shops: Planning Permission, whether powers to block unwanted shops would apply to shops that are not otherwise long-term empty.

The Government is introducing a number of powers to block unwanted shops that are not otherwise long-term empty. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will provide powers for ministers to introduce a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products to support legitimate businesses. The scheme will be subject to consultation by the Department of Health and Social Care before regulations are introduced. Furthermore, we will introduce Cumulative Impact Assessments in gambling licensing, when parliamentary time allows. This will give councils greater control over the number of gambling outlets in their areas, helping to ensure a healthy mix of premises on their high streets. Wider powers, such as streamlined compulsory purchase orders and community right to buy, will support local control and curation of high streets.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 85795 on MHCLG: Glenigan, what planning metrics are provided to his Department by Glenigan.

Glenigan provide data on residential development sites and planning applications. Data fields include site dimensions, date application submitted, date application decided, decision outcome, number of proposed units, application type, site location, and planning authority, among other details. My Department also receive a calculated metric on the number of homes granted planning permission at detailed and reserved matters stage each quarter. This is published in My Department’s quarterly planning applications statistics release.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85784 on Local Government Finance, which local authorities have submitted disposal flexibility requests and had them approved since 4 July 2024.

The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts general direction was introduced in 2016 by the previous government and remains substantively unchanged. As set out in the general direction and guidance, local authorities intending to use the discretionary freedoms must provide the government with details of their planned use of the flexibility. This is to make sure that the government is adequately sighted on the use of the flexibility and can monitor how it is used. Government does not, however, approve the plans or any specific use of the flexibility. Local authorities remain responsible for appropriately complying with the direction and guidance, and ensuring their decisions are in the best interests of local residents. Government does not publish details of the plans submitted by local authorities, but authorities should, in accordance with the guidance that accompanies the direction, make their strategies publicly available, and use of the flexibility should be reported in the annual statement of accounts. The table below illustrates the total number of local authorities who submitted their strategies under the direction for the last three financial years: 2023-242024-252025-26738960

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written evidence submitted by the Home Office to the Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry on the Home Office's management of asylum accommodation, AAC0141, HC 580, which local authorities are participating in pilots relating to the Accommodation Strategy.

This Government is committed to ending the use of asylum hotels. To support that goal, we are investing £500 million in a new, more sustainable asylum accommodation model, developed in consultation with local authorities. This will help make available basic alternative accommodation so that it can be used on a temporary basis to house asylum seekers waiting for their cases to be processed. Our ambition is that this investment will leave a lasting legacy of housing for local communities and reduce pressure on local housing markets. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels. MHCLG and the Home Office are working closely with councils and devolved partners to co-design this approach. Funding allocations to local authorities are yet to be finalised and will be confirmed in due course.

Communities and Local Government, which local authorities are participating in asylum seeking housing pilots; and how much funding has been allocated to those pilots.

This Government is committed to ending the use of asylum hotels. To support that goal, we are investing £500 million in a new, more sustainable asylum accommodation model, developed in consultation with local authorities. This will help make available basic alternative accommodation so that it can be used on a temporary basis to house asylum seekers waiting for their cases to be processed. Our ambition is that this investment will leave a lasting legacy of housing for local communities and reduce pressure on local housing markets. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels. MHCLG and the Home Office are working closely with councils and devolved partners to co-design this approach. Funding allocations to local authorities are yet to be finalised and will be confirmed in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the value for money of the Greater Manchester Housing Investment Loans Fund.

An independent evaluation of the Housing Investment Fund commissioned by Greater Manchester Combined Authority concluded that it delivers good value for money.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to publish revised land value estimates, updated in August 2020; and whether his Department has had recent discussions with the Valuation Office Agency on this issue.

The government is developing updated land value estimates for use in policy appraisal and has commissioned work from the Valuation Office Agency to that end. Our aim is to publish updated values for a range of land uses within the next 12 months.

Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on Local Government Pension Scheme investments in fossil fuels.

Investment strategies for Local Government Pension Scheme funds are set by administering authorities, and must include how social, environmental and corporate governance considerations, such as the environmental impact of fossil fuels, are taken into account. Authorities must have regard to their fiduciary duty to scheme members and employers, must consider factors that are financially material to the performance of their investments when setting their investment strategy, and must follow relevant legislation and guidance.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the research and analysis entitled Electoral Resilience and Democratic Engagement Programme: Voter identification research, published on 3 November 2025, for what research the opinion research was commissioned by gender rather than sex.

The research was conducted using the same criteria that was previously used for the research and evaluation for the Elections Act 2022. The researchers use industry standard methods which allows for the comparison of data across demographic groups. All research commissioned by the programme is published in line with the Government Social Research Publication Protocol.

Communities and Local Government, whether councillors who sign up to the Local Government Pension Scheme will have it listed in the annual statement of payments to councillors.

Currently, the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 does not require local authorities to publish information relating to pension payments in the annual statement of payments to councillors. A consultation was launched on 13 October on providing access to the Local Government Pension Scheme to mayors and councillors and remains open until 22 December.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2025 to Question 83818 on Flags, which local authorities raised the subject of flags during those meetings.

The subject of flags has been raised by numerous local authorities in a variety of contexts and meetings across England. My department engages with local authorities day in and day out in a variety of different contexts. While discussions on flags have been prominent in many conversations with officials across the department, the information about these conversations is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost of time and resource to the department. My department has signposted councils to existing guidance on flag flying, and has not provided any new guidance or interpretation of the existing guidance.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed business rates retention reset on (a) councils with high business growth and (b) future incentives for high business growth.

The Business Rates Retention System was designed to be “reset” periodically to update the way it redistributes locally retained business rates between local authorities – a core aspect of the system. The reset will fundamentally improve the way we fund local authorities, ensuring funding is targeted where it is needed most, based on an updated assessment of need. As set out in the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, to smooth the delivery of the reset the government is proposing to offer increased protection to local authorities’ business rates income across the multi-year settlement period – further detail will be set out at the Policy Statement. By fixing these foundations, the sector will be better placed to invest in and drive local growth. Business rates growth that comes on stream after the reset would be retained for the duration of the future reset period, continuing to reward authorities for local business rates growth.

Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to stop councillors in England from being able to be elected to foreign office overseas.

We expect councillors to uphold the Nolan principles, which include selflessness, integrity, objectivity, and accountability, because they are essential for maintaining public confidence in local democracy. The government is clear that any councillor elected by local people to serve their interests must continue to do so as their highest priority.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the research and analysis entitled Electoral Resilience and Democratic Engagement Programme: Voter identification research, published on 3 November 2025, whether other research has been commissioned but is not published under that programme.

The research was conducted using the same criteria that was previously used for the research and evaluation for the Elections Act 2022. The researchers use industry standard methods which allows for the comparison of data across demographic groups. All research commissioned by the programme is published in line with the Government Social Research Publication Protocol.

Communities and Local Government, what his planned timetable is for reviewing the legal framework on the protection of open spaces; and whether he plans to publish a (a) call for evidence and (b) consultation on this matter.

Open and green spaces are an essential part of local social infrastructure and must be protected for future generations. The current system of protections for public recreational green space is fractured and complex, and that is why government intend to review to clarify the current protections for public recreational green spaces. We intend to analyse the effectiveness and usability of those protections, to simplify the system, ensure consistency for developers and local authorities and empower communities to protect valued spaces. The government is committed to working at pace on this to ensure clarity is brought to the system. Details of the review will be announced in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what the forecast cost was of retail, hospitality and leisure business rate relief in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.

The forecast costs of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief for 2024-25 and 2025-26 is published on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to require Local Government Pension Scheme investments to not assist breaches of international law.

Local Government Pension Scheme administering authorities set the investment strategies for their funds, and must follow relevant legislation and guidance. Authorities are legally required to comply with UK sanctions, including restrictions on dealings with designated individuals, entities, and countries.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the empty homes council tax premium on financial incentives to councils to leave homes empty.

It is the government’s clear expectation that councils will take reasonable steps to bring empty homes in their area back into use. The premium is one of several levers councils have, to encourage owners of empty homes to bring them back into use. As we outlined in the English Devolution White Paper, we intend to strengthen the ability of councils to take over the management of empty homes. Further details will follow in due course.