Written questions by Cleverly.

Pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2025 to Question 88672, on Business Rates: Tax Allowances, whether any impact assessment has been undertaken of the effect of the £1.1 billion in business rates from the reduction in Retail, Hospitality and Leisure rate relief from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

The Government is introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit. The total change in business rates revenue is set out in the OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 16 December 2025, page 100, for what reason he has repealed the written ministerial statement and associated planning policy on community pubs of 26 January 2015, Official Report, HCWS221.

The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes a list of Written Ministerial Statements and other documents where the planning policy stated within them is reflected in the proposed NPPF policies on which we are consulting, or which no longer represents government policy. The changes would not affect other content in the Written Ministerial Statements concerned.The consultation includes policy designed to facilitate and safeguard the provision of community facilities such as public houses.The consultation will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.

Pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2025 to Question 95883, on Visitor Levy, whether the Office for National Statistics intends to classify the overnight visitor levy as a tax for statistical purposes.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Rt. hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 7th January is attached.

What datasets the Office for National Statistics collates and holds of the size of the population, and population growth, by religion, faith or belief, other than from the Census.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Rt. hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 7th January is attached.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 16 December 2025, what assessment has been made of the effect of that Framework on planning applications and planning enforcement for traveller sites.

The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. The draft Framework incorporates policies relating to traveller sites, currently set out in Planning Policy For Traveller Sites, within relevant chapters. The government recognises that there are particular concerns about the ability of local planning authorities to deal with intentional unauthorised development. The consultation on the revised NPPF seeks views on strengthening the policy on intentional unauthorised development. The consultation is open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2025 to Question 88657, on Renters’ Rights Act 2025, if he will publish the terms of reference and project specification for the study commissioned from Verian; and what the timetable is for it to report.

As is usual practice, my Department will publish relevant information on the Verian study on the evaluation registry in due course. This will include the rationale and methods of the evaluation, alongside publication dates. The report findings will be published two and five years after the Renters’ Rights Act implementation date of 1 May 2026.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the report, Antisemitism: Recent Government Actions and Next Steps, published on 17 December 2025, what steps is the Government taking to tackle anti-semitism caused by (a) Islamist extremism and (b) radicalised anti-Israeli sentiment.

This Government takes extremism seriously and we are committed to ensuring we have the required tools and powers needed to address this issue. Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our society which is why countering it in all its forms remains an operational priority for our security and intelligence services. Regardless of the worldview it draws from, if an ideology is causing harm by radicalising others into hatred, violence and extremism we will take action to prevent this and to safeguard susceptible individuals. We understand that Islamist and extreme right-wing ideologies remain the most prominent today hence why it remains at the very heart of our approach. Everyone in this country has the right to feel safe. We work closely with policing and Jewish community stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities. The Community Security Trust has been allocated £28 million in 2025/26 through the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant. This includes additional emergency funding of £10 million. The Government also works closely with HMG’s Independent Adviser on Antisemitism and with the established Antisemitism Working Group on how to effectively tackle antisemitism and engage Jewish communities around international, national and local events affecting British Jews.

Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the Social and Affordable Homes Programme business case.

The Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) is expected to be onboarded onto the Government Major Programmes Portfolio (GMPP). In line with the HM Treasury guidance for GMPP programmes, the SAHP intends to publish a summary of its Programme Business Case (PBC) within four months of HM Treasury’s formal approval of the PBC.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025 to Question 88270 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Publicity, how much has been spent on translation and interpretation by his Department and each of its Arm's Length Bodies since July 2024.

The MHCLG and it’s Arm’s Length Bodies do not hold a central record of translation and interpretation costs in relation to publicity.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2025 to Question 87779, on MHCLG: Standards, if he will list each of the data sources that are provided under licence by third parties.

As per the department’s response to PQ 78227 on 20 October, the “Rolling annual number of first-time buyers with a mortgage” and “New Lets (Zoopla)” metrics listed draw from data provided by third parties.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 December 2025 to Question 90716 on Asylum: Housing, which local government bodies the Government is currently working with.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is working closely with the Home Office, local authorities and their national membership bodies in addition to devolved partners to develop and deliver a new, more sustainable model for asylum accommodation.

Whether the Government holds national data on which individual hereditaments claimed Retail, Hospitality and Leisure rate relief in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.

The Government does not hold national data on which individual hereditaments claimed Retail, Hospitality and Leisure rate relief in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.

Communities and Local Government, whether the New Towns Taskforce has undertaken a consultation on the proposed Adlington New Town.

In developing its recommendations, the New Towns Taskforce engaged with local leaders from across the country and delivered a series of targeted engagement events. As set out in the government’s initial response to the New Towns Taskforce final report, which can be found on gov.uk here, we will publish the draft proposals and final SEA for consultation in the coming months.

Communities and Local Government, what is the cash terms cap for an individual hereditament on Supporting Small Business Relief in (a) 2027-28 and (b) 2028-29; and whether the £800 amount will increase by inflation.

Supporting Small Business Relief (SSBR) limits the increase in the bills of those ratepayers whose business rates liability will increase as a result of the 2026 revaluation. SSBR ensures that any increase is limited to £800 per year, or the relevant caps within Transitional Relief, whichever is higher. This is the case for all years between 2026 and the next revaluation.

Communities and Local Government, what the latest possible date is for him to make a decision to cancel scheduled council elections in May 2026.

The deadline for representations on the postponement of local elections in May 2026 is 15 January. After this, the Secretary of State will consider all views provided, together with any other representations received, before decisions are made. If the Secretary of State decides to postpone an election, legislation will be brought forward as soon as practicable and the House will be updated.

Communities and Local Government, how many staff have been given permission to run for election in the (a) May 2025 and (b) May 2026 local elections.

The department does not hold a central record of all permissions granted. Request numbers are small and are considered on a case-by-case basis in line with policy.

Communities and Local Government, whether Warwick District Council sought advice from his Department prior to introducing its second home council tax premium.

The Government does not provide advice to councils on the application of the council tax premiums. The Government has published guidance on the administration of premiums. Councils must make their own decisions on whether to charge a premium based on the legislation and their own local circumstances. Councils administer council tax independently of central government. Where necessary, councils should seek their own independent legal advice on the interpretation of legislation.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 on (a) the instances and duration of industrial action in local authorities and (b) disorder on municipal picket lines.

In October 2024 the government published impact assessments on the relevant trade union-related measures now in the Employment Rights Act 2025. The impact assessment covering the Act’s repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 included an assessment of the expected impact on industrial action. Local Authorities are independent employers responsible for managing industrial relations and industrial action risks.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the visit by Lord Khan to Pakistan from 13 April to 17 April 2025, for what reason no meetings are listed for the four day period in the transparency document entitled MHCLG: ministerial meetings, April to June 2025.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84924 on 20 November 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department undertook a public sector equality duty assessment on the decision to cancel the mayoral elections.

The Government intends to establish Mayoral Strategic Authorities via secondary legislation for all the Devolution Priority Programme areas as soon as possible, subject to the councils’ consent. Devolution is strongest when it is built on strong foundations, and this extra time will allow these four areas to establish strong institutions ahead of their Mayors taking office in 2028. The decision to hold the mayoral elections at a later date does not necessitate a Public Sector Equality Duty assessment, as an assessment will be produced for the establishment legislation.