Written questions by Cleverly.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Rycroft Review: Letter to parliamentary party representatives, of 25 March 2026, for what reason the legislation will be introduced on a retrospective basis.

Following the publication of the independent Rycroft Review on 25 March 2026, the government announced its intention to act upon two key recommendations from that Review, to introduce a cap on donations from overseas electors and a moratorium on donations via cryptoassets.We are applying these rule changes retrospectively, to ensure malign actors aren’t able to funnel illegitimate money into UK politics in advance of the change in law.The government will be introducing these measures by amendment to the Representation of the People Bill where there will be sufficient opportunity to scrutinise and debate the proposals.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2026 to Question 117657 on Constituencies, whether his Department has assessed the potential asymmetric effect on parliamentary boundary reviews of rolling out automatic registration in different geographical areas to different timetables.

The sole aim of moving towards automated registration, as set out in the Representation of the People Bill, is to increase the completeness and accuracy of electoral registers. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will test automated registration in a range of different locations and settings, with different characteristics and challenges. We will be guided throughout by principles of fairness and open engagement.The Parliamentary Boundary Commissions for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, are independent of Government. The timings of Parliamentary Boundary Reviews are set by legislation, which the Government has no plans to change.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 122203 on Local Government Pension Scheme, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of paying pensions to Local Government Pension Scheme members over the age of 55 who are made voluntarily or compulsorily redundant as a consequence of unitary local government restructuring.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 116484 on 16 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2026, to Question 113641, on Parish and Town Councils: Council tax reduction schemes, what assessment has been made of (a) whether principal local authorities have reduced their financial support for parish councils, in relation to the application of local council tax support on parish precepts, in (a) 2025-26, and (b) 2026-27 budgets and (b) the associated effects on parish council precepts.

Local council tax support schemes are designed by local authorities in consultation with council taxpayers. It is the responsibility of principal authorities to work with parish and town councils on council tax matters, including support schemes and to agree appropriate funding arrangements to avoid large increases in parish precepts.

Communities and Local Government, further to the policy paper, Amplify: The Local Media Action Plan, published 17 March 2026, paragraph 115, what steps are being taken to stop councils hindering public scrutiny by journalists, and whether he will make it his policy to strengthen guidance in his area.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84641 on 29 October 2025.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026, to Question 110416, on Government Departments: Publicity, whether there are any plans for HM Land Registry to remove the HM reference in its public branding.

The government has no plans to remove the HM reference in HM Land Registry’s public branding.

Communities and Local Government, what planning guidance his Department has issued on polytunnels to grow food.

My Department has issued no specific guidance relating to polytunnels to grow food.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2026, to Question 117734, on Local Government: Elections, where there are any other (a) prospectus documents, (b) calls for evidence, (c) bidding documents, (d) consultations or (e) pilot invitations send to local authorities, on matters other than flexible voting pilots, that have not been published on gov.uk, in the last 12 months.

The government is exploring ways to make voting in person more efficient, more convenient, and better aligned with the expectations of today’s electors. These pilots are part of the government’s commitment to encourage greater participation in our democracy and to modernise the voting process, this commitment extends to town and parish council elections, such as those being held in North Hertfordshire in May.The government did not receive any requests or expressions of interest that were rejected. Several local authorities expressed interest but did not make a formal application.There have been no prospectus documents, calls for evidence, bidding documents, consultations or pilot invitations published in the last twelve months on matters other than the flexible voting pilots.The flexible voting pilots are being funded by the Department.Regarding the government’s engagement with stakeholders for the flexible voting pilots, I refer the Rt Hon. Member to Question UIN 87029 on 12 November 2025.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2026, to Question 117886, on Election: Campaigns, whether sectarianism is being monitored by the Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit.

The Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit (JESP), led by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Cabinet Office is an enduring election security function, dedicated to coordinating a collective effort across Government to safeguard our elections against the range of threats we face.Before an election takes place, an ‘Election Cell’ is set up by the Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit (JESP). This brings together government departments, the police, the intelligence agencies, the Devolved Governments, and external partners to monitor and respond to any emerging issues across candidate, cyber and information security. MHCLG's Community Cohesion Unit is also a core part of JESP’s Election Cell; the Community Cohesion Unit works closely during election campaigns with local partners, including the police and local councils to monitor and address issues related to cohesion. Harassment and intimidation of voters, electoral staff, candidates and campaigners, both online and in person, is totally unacceptable, whatever the driving cause, and has a profoundly detrimental impact on our democratic process. Government is also working closely with the Electoral Commission to develop an updated Code of Conduct for campaigning to set clear expectations for behaviour during election campaigns. Ahead of the updated Code of Conduct, the Electoral Commission has recently published a set of principles for campaigning respectfully and safely, which are welcomed by this Government.

What discussions her Department has had with JP Morgan on business rate discounts on offices in Canary Wharf with (a) JP Morgan and (b) Tower Hamlets Council.

HM Treasury holds regular discussions with a wide range of businesses on matters relating to the economy and the tax system. As part of this regular engagement with global investors, the Chancellor and Financial Secretary to the Treasury have met JP Morgan to discuss the proposed Canary Wharf development.

Communities and Local Government, what the provisional budget is for flexible voting pilots in (a) 2026 and (b) 2027.

The government is exploring ways to make voting in person more efficient, more convenient, and better aligned with the expectations of today’s electors. These pilots are part of the government’s commitment to encourage greater participation in our democracy and to modernise the voting process, this commitment extends to town and parish council elections, such as those being held in North Hertfordshire in May.The government did not receive any requests or expressions of interest that were rejected. Several local authorities expressed interest but did not make a formal application.There have been no prospectus documents, calls for evidence, bidding documents, consultations or pilot invitations published in the last twelve months on matters other than the flexible voting pilots.The flexible voting pilots are being funded by the Department.Regarding the government’s engagement with stakeholders for the flexible voting pilots, I refer the Rt Hon. Member to Question UIN 87029 on 12 November 2025.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2025, to Question 90712, on Elections: Proof of Identity, whether bank cards which only have a first name initial, such as “S.Dixon”, will be accepted as identification in polling stations; and whether the card must have a honorific to indicate the sex of the card holder.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the Representation of the People Bill 2026, which provides that bank cards must show either the elector’s first and last name or first initial and last name to be accepted as Voter ID. Bank cards will not be required to display an honorific to be accepted as Voter ID.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance has been given by (a) his Department and (b) LEASE relating to leasehold enfranchisement for (i) residential dwellings, (ii) non-residential hereditaments and (iii) hybrid properties, and what plans there are to update the guidance in light of legislative changes.

My Department publishes guidance on gov.uk for residential and commercial leaseholders, including a ‘How to Lease’ guide for residential leaseholders.The government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) provides extensive guidance and free initial legal advice for leaseholders on residential leasehold enfranchisement, including through its website here.The government is committed to implementing measures in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to make enfranchisement cheaper and easier.The Act sets the method for calculating the price of a statutory lease extension or freehold acquisition, known as the valuation process. It removes the requirement for marriage value to be paid, caps the treatment of ground rents in the valuation calculation at 0.1% of the freehold value, and allows government to prescribe the rates used to calculate the enfranchisement premium.Valuation rates used to calculate the enfranchisement premium will be set by the Secretary of State in secondary legislation. We will consult on valuation rates and commence the relevant provisions as soon as possible.As per my Written Ministerial Statement of 21 November 2024 (HCWS244), primary legislation will be required to rectify a small number of specific flaws in the 2024 Act before the Act’s enfranchisement provisions are commenced.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116474 on Combined Authority: Elections, what his Department's policy rationale is for aligning the Cheshire and Warrington and Cumbria combined authority mayoral elections with the May 2027 council elections, but not aligning for the other Devolution Priority Programme combined authority mayoral elections and new unitary elections.

Following requests by the local authority leaders of Cheshire & Warrington and Cumbria, we agreed the inaugural mayoral elections for those two areas will take place in May 2027. The areas have issued public statements to explain their requests, highlighting that it would bring alignment with most local elections scheduled for 2027 – leading to significant savings and support higher turnout.The inaugural Mayoral elections for the remaining Devolution Priority Programme areas will be held in May 2028, so that they can complete the local government reorganisation process before Mayors take office. This will ensure that these institutions are built on firm foundations and that their Mayors are able to deliver for their regions and local communities from day one. Mayoral elections in Cheshire & Warrington and Cumbria will go ahead as planned in May 2027 as these areas are not currently undergoing local government reorganisation.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 25 March 2026 on Local Government Reorganisation, HCWS1455, if he will set out the proposed changes to the governance arrangements for the new mayoral combined authority; and how many votes each unitary will have on the new combined authorities in the devolution priority areas.

In the first instance, the Government is establishing Mayoral Combined County Authorities in the areas on the Devolution Priority Programme that are yet to undergo local government reorganisation. These will consist of the existing upper-tier local authorities. Following reorganisation, these Authorities will be converted to Mayoral Combined Authorities, consisting of the new unitary authorities. Governance, including voting, arrangements will be specified in the legislation to effect the conversion.

Communities and Local Government, what requirements there are for council meetings in England to be conducted in English.

Local democracy depends on meetings being open, transparent and accessible. Councillors and mayors, as elected representatives, are expected to communicate clearly so that local authority decisions can be understood, scrutinised and reported on by the public. The government guidance, Open and accountable local government: plain English guide, promotes the use of clear language and recommends that formal local authority meetings should not be conducted in foreign languages to facilitate public scrutiny.Qualification for local government membership is already set out in legislation. Local authorities are independent of central government and, subject to the Local Government Act 1972, are best placed to regulate their own proceedings through standing orders and to provide training for members where appropriate. The public’s ability to hold councils to account relies on decisions being taken at local level.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026, to Question 120065, on Best Value: Surrey, and with reference to the Woking Borough Council: Commissioners’ sixth report, published 24 March 2026, para 11, what the most recent estimate is of the remaining amount of debt that Woking Borough Council holds; what amount is borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board; what amount of debt will be left after the capital receipts referred to in paragraph 11, and what amount of the total debt is deemed to be unrecoverable.

Local authorities provide the Government with data on their borrowing, including source of borrowing. The data can be found at Live tables on local government finance - GOV.UK. The Government recognises that Woking Council cannot manage the entirety of its debt locally and has made an unprecedented commitment to repay in-principle £500m of the Council’s debt in 2026-27. This is a first tranche of support, and we will continue to explore what further debt support is required at a later point. Further, we remain committed to providing interim financial support to the new unitary council until a final decision is made on further support. It is crucial that any debt support must take into account value for money for local and national taxpayers, and the Council’s continued commitment to reduce debt as far as possible within their local capacity including via an ongoing asset disposal programme.

Communities and Local Government, further to the "Changing Futures Lived Experience Support Grant: prospectus", of 26 March 2026, what his Department's definition of lived experience is.

The definition of lived experience in reference to the Changing Futures programme is direct, personal experience of multiple disadvantage which includes combinations of homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill health, domestic abuse and contact with the criminal justice system.

Communities and Local Government, further to the OBR Economic and fiscal outlook, March 2026, para 3.41, what estimate has been made of the effect on the department’s forecast of average increase in Band D council tax from the uprated council tax referendum principles in (a) 2026-27, (b) 2027-28 and (c) 2028-29.

The average increase in Band D council tax excluding local precepts for 2026-27 is 4.8%, published here.Referendum principles for 2027-28 and 2028-29 will be confirmed in the Council Tax reports for 2027-28 and 2028-29 respectively.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2026, to Question 111684, on Recreation Spaces: Planning Permission, what is the status and timetable for publishing the public consultation on the review in the legal framework of protections for public recreational space.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 111684 on 24 February 2026.