Written questions by Cleverly.

Further to the National Licensing Policy Framework published on November 2025, for what reason the guidance is non-statutory, and what consideration was given to issuing it as supplementary guidance under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 to give it the same weight as the current Section 182 licensing guidance.

The Licensing Act 2003 provides only for statutory guidance to be issued under section 182, which is limited to guidance on the exercise of functions within the Act and the promotion of the four licensing objectives. The National Licensing Policy Framework (NLPF) supports wider regeneration and wider economic objectives that sit outside the scope of section 182 guidance and do not override the statutory licensing framework.The Government is keeping the effectiveness of the NLPF under review and is considering how best to strengthen its impact within the existing legislative framework, should it not have the desired effect.

Representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment the Commission has made of the structural integrity, water ingress and building condition of (a) Portcullis House and (b) its atrium.

The Commission’s assessment of the structural integrity, water ingress and condition of Portcullis House and its atrium is informed by surveys and ongoing inspections as part of the routine management of the Parliamentary Estate.(a) Portcullis House – The building structure currently shows no visible signs of distress. More detailed intrusive surveys are scheduled for completion by summer recess 2026 to provide a fuller assessment. The causes of water ingress to the main roof have been identified and are being addressed through short‑term mitigation works, with longer‑term repairs proposed through the Portcullis House roofs project. The general condition of the building is continuously monitored by the Asset Management and Maintenance teams, with routine maintenance carried out as required. Additional projects are due to begin shortly to replace components, such as heating and cooling equipment, that have reached the end of their serviceable life.(b) Atrium – Assessments to date indicate that the timber and steel structure of the atrium roof is generally in reasonable condition. A programme of detailed and intrusive surveys will be completed by the summer to review the structure and the overall condition of the glazed roof. Temporary works to reduce water ingress are planned for completion by summer recess 2026, with longer‑term repairs or replacement works to follow once scope of works and the associated funding has been approved.

What proportion and amount of the (a) £18.3 billion police funding settlement and (b) the £746 million increase, is made up of council tax in England in 2026-27, according to the estimates made by the Home Office used to calculate the figures stated in the written statement of 28 January 2026, HCWS1285.

The final 2026-27 Police Funding Settlement confirmed funding to police forces in England and Wales of up to £18.4 billion, an increase of up to £796 million compared to the 2025-26 police funding settlement. Across England and Wales, this increase includes up to £364 million of additional funding from council tax precept.In England specifically, up to £5.9 billion of funding will come from the police precept. This is an increase of up to £342 million compared to 2025-26.As the police funding settlement precedes final decisions by policing bodies’ on their actual precept levels, published settlement figures are based on the referendum limit for policing bodies in England. The referendum limit determines the level of increase in Council Tax Band D bill levels above which a local referendum must be held. A £15 increase has been assumed for all policing bodies based on the referendum limits set out in MHCLG’s Local Government Finance Settlement. Published settlement figures are also based on tax base growth in line with the Autumn 2025 Office for Budget Responsibility forecast.The tables accompanying the Written Ministerial Statement of 28 January 2026 provide a breakdown of precept funding for individual police forces. The overall precept funding, and increase compared to the 2025-26 settlement can also be calculated using these tables. The Written Ministerial Statement and accompanying tables can be found here: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.

Representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of support provided to Hon Members in providing democratic representation to registered overseas electors, assigned to their constituency, through the duration of a Parliament.

The Commission provides a range of services to Members to support them in their Parliamentary duties. It has not made a specific assessment of how these services support MPs in their representation of registered overseas electors.It is for each individual MP to determine how best to perform their duties, including how they use services to support their representation of constituents.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill on the economic viability of (a) pubs, (b) nightclubs, (c) bars and (d) other parts of the hospitality sector.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill Impact Assessment, published in November 2024, which was given a ‘green’ rating by the Regulatory Policy Committee, assesses the expected impact of policies on the face of the bill, including any impacts on the hospitality industry. The impact on the hospitality industry of any regulations implemented using powers in the bill will be assessed in separate impact assessments when these regulations are developed. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill Impact Assessment is available at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6985eeb7cfe7ccf77efbc74e/tobacco-and-vapes-bill-impact-assessment.pdf

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2026 to Question 110396 on Strategic Migration Partnership: Finance, for what reason her Department does not currently publish funding levels to Strategic Migration Partnerships.

The Home Office does not publish the amounts due to the sensitive nature of the grant scheme.Previous years funding can be found here Government Grants Data and Statistics Government grants data and statistics - GOV.UK.

If she will issue guidance to the police on uniformed police officers being photographed holding the flags of foreign countries.

The Government has no plans to issue guidance on this matter.

What assessment her Department has made of potential merits of making English language training compulsory for asylum seekers who do not have English language proficiency.

The Government has set out its commitment to supporting successful integration, as highlighted in the Immigration White Paper. Being able to communicate effectively in English is essential for accessing public services, participating in civic life, securing employment, and building strong connections within local communities. Without sufficient language skills, individuals may face barriers to integration and increased risk of social isolation.

What information his Department holds on the number and proportion of pubs that are (a) independent, (b) owned by public companies and (c) owned by breweries.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Rt Hon. Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th March is attached.

Pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2026, to Question 110397, on Public Order and Hate Crime Legislation Review, if she will make it her policy to set terms of reference to independent reviews that require them to follow the Government’s non-engagement principles.

An independent review should provide objective, credible and evidence-based assessments of the subject matter which it has been asked to evaluate.In line with the approach that has been taken by independent reviewers under successive governments, Chairs of independent reviews should determine which groups and organisations they wish to engage with in order to fulfil the terms of reference for their review. Direction from government as to appropriate engagement could impact the credibility and independence of a review.Once a review concludes, it is for Government Ministers to carefully consider its findings and recommendations before determining whether to accept them.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2026 to Question 110385, on Asylum: English language, for what reason there is a three-year qualifying period for English language training for those other than asylum seekers whose claims have been outstanding for six months or more.

Since August 2025, there has been no three-year residency requirement to access Adult Skills Fund provision. A correction to PQ 110385 was issued on 31 March.

How many staff are assigned to work in the Government’s Darlington Campus, by department; and whether workplace attendance is monitored.

The Darlington Economic Campus (DEC) will comprise of two buildings Feethams House (open and in operation) and Brunswick St (in construction). These form part of a wider Darlington Portfolio - currently 8 buildings (excluding Brunswick St.). Of the 8 buildings, Bishopsgate House may yet form part of the DEC, but this is still undetermined.The GPA cannot confirm how many staff are assigned to work at the Darlington Economic Campus (in effect Feethams House at this time) as this information is held by individual departments. The GPA does not monitor attendance. However we do receive data for Feethams for the purpose of reporting to Departments on building utilisation, i.e. number of people occupying a building by department. This data is captured via building Access Control Systems.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions or correspondence her Department has had since July 2024 with the Mayor of London on wood burning stoves in domestic dwellings.

Officials from Defra maintain regular engagement with the Greater London Authority on all aspects of improving air quality.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she intends to ban wood-burning stoves in (a) domestic dwellings and (b) business hereditaments.

The Government is consulting on measures to reduce emissions from domestic combustion such as strengthened emission standards for new stoves, improved product labelling, and enhanced enforcement arrangements. Any future decisions will be based on the full range of evidence and consultation responses.

Food and Rural Affairs, who are the members of the Group Infrastructure Board; and has it has met.

The Defra Infrastructure Board formally launched, as recommended in the Corry review, in September 2025 and has been meeting regularly since. Membership consists of seniors across Defra Group and other Government departments, including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Whether (a) her Department and (b) the Equality and Human Rights Commission has issued guidance to political parties on candidate shortlists for elected office restricted on the basis of protected characteristics.

Guidance on what the Equality Act 2010 means for political parties, including candidate shortlists, is provided by the Equality and Human Rights Commission here: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/guidance/equality-act-2010-guide-political-parties

Pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2025 to Question 90225 on DWP: English language, whether his Department (a) had a budget for spending on English language support in 2024-25 and (b) holds information on suppliers used for English language support.

There is no specific budget for English Language Support. information on suppliers is available from https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/20879758-e64d-4486-a2cd-c234340afe49

Pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026, to Question 110389, on Muslim Council of Britain, and to the answer of 11 February 2026, to Question 110397, on Public Order and Hate Crime Legislation Review, what is the policy of (a) Cabinet Office and (b) Downing Street on engagement with the Muslim Council of Britain.

The Government’s policy of non-engagement with the Muslim Council of Britain has not changed.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answers of 28 April 2025 and 18 August 2025 to Questions 45662 and 68409, on Universal Studios: Bedfordshire, whether (a) Government funding and (b) bespoke tax relief is being provided to (i) Universal Studios and (ii) the local council to support the deal.

The Government is following due process and will publish further information this year.

With reference to the Government Legal Service publication, “the Judge over your shoulder”, para 3.15, what supplementary advice or guidance have the Law Officers or GLS given on whether a reconsideration of a Ministerial decision requires a new Minister to take the fresh decision.

With reference to the publication, JOYS: The Judge Over Your Shoulder, the Government Legal Department is not aware of any supplementary advice or guidance on whether a reconsideration of a Ministerial decision requires a new Minister to take the fresh decision.In addition, it is a longstanding convention that whether the Law Officers have advised or have not advised, and the content of their advice, must not be disclosed outside government without their authority