Written questions by Cleverly.

Further to the HMT guidance entitled High Value Council Tax Surcharge published on 26 November 2025, for what reason social housing is exempt from the new council tax surcharge.

The High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS) applies to the highest-value properties to make taxation fairer. It affects less than 1% of homes in England and ensures those with the broadest shoulders contribute their fair share towards funding local government services. The tax will only be paid by owners of homes worth over £2m. Social housing is provided to support low-income and vulnerable groups, and therefore social landlords will be exempt.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025, to Question 88278, on Travellers: Caravan Sites, if he will make it his policy to undertake research into the issue of unauthorised travellers frustrating Temporary Stop Notices by subdividing land into multiple plots.

My Department has no plans to undertake research into this specific issue at this time.

Whether the banding thresholds for the high value council tax surcharge will be uprated each year in line with changes to (a) inflation or (b) the house price index.

Properties will be revalued every 5 years and banding thresholds will be kept under review alongside the revaluations.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2025, to Question 91362, on Waste Disposal: Birmingham, what proportion of the 9.8% increase in core spending power in Birmingham in 2025-26 was made up of council tax.

Information on Core Spending Power for Birmingham Council, including how much is available from Council Tax, can be found here.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 November 2025, to Question 90709, on Shops: Planning Permission, and the Answer of 7 November 2025, to Question 86776, on Retail Trade: Urban Areas, what are the new specific powers for local authorities to block unwanted (a) hairdressers and (b) barbers that would apply to shops that are not otherwise long-term empty, separate to the Companies House changes.

As we have set out, there are a range of measures to tackle this issue. This government has since announced further action to crack down on illegal high street activity in premises such as mini-marts, barbershops, vape shops, nail bars and car washes. The Autumn Budget has provided £15 million per year to fund enhanced enforcement activity and establish a cross-government policy taskforce to better understand and disrupt organised crime, money laundering and related criminality on our high streets.This is in addition to wider measures, which support stronger action against those who break the rules, including amending the Company Directors Disqualification Act to extend the circumstances in which directors who break the law can be disqualified.

Communities and Local Government, further to the Chief Planner newsletter of 24 November 2025, whether an (a) Impact Assessment, (b) Equality Impact Assessment and (c) Environmental Principles Assessment was undertaken in relation to the decision to revoke the Letter from Nick Boles to the Planning Inspectorate of 11 March 2014 on Green Belt reviews.

The letter in question has already been superseded by changes to national planning policy, including the changes made to Green Belt policy as set out in the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024.The relevant impact assessments (including Equality Impact Assessment and Environmental Principles Assessment) were taken in relation to these policy changes.As such, no separate Impact Assessment, Equality Impact Assessment or Environmental Principles Assessment consideration was undertaken in respect of the revocation of the letter.Additionally, as set out in my letter of 9 October 2025 to the Planning Inspectorate (which can be found on gov.uk here), it is ultimately for the strategic policy-making authority to decide to undertake a review of Green Belt boundaries. The authority should take their decision in accordance with the tests set out in national policy. It is also their responsibility to undertake any relevant impact assessments in relation to that decision.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the oral Answer of 24 November 2025 on East Sussex County Council: Elections, what is the Secretary of State's definition for the length of time which represents a very short term in office.

We are clear that the starting point is for all elections to go ahead unless there is strong justification otherwise.There is precedent for postponing local elections where local government reorganisation is in progress. That postponement can prevent costly and distracting elections for short-term posts in councils which will shortly be abolished is a key consideration.The Government will work with areas to hold elections for new unitary councils as soon as possible as is the usual arrangement in the process of local government reorganisation.

With reference to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's press release entitled Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth, published on 25 November 2025, whether VAT will be levied (a) before and (b) after the addition of the overnight visitor levy to the core hotel bill.

The design of the visitor levy is subject to consultation and decisions from Mayors about whether to introduce a levy and how it is implemented locally.

Communities and Local Government, further to the press release, "Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth", of 25 November 2025, whether the overnight visitor levy will be levied in addition to existing Business Improvement District levies charged on hereditaments which are overnight accommodation.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth including through support for the local visitor economy.The Visitor Levy Consultation, running until 18 February 2026, sets out the details of governments proposals for this power. This consultation will ensure the public, businesses, and local government can shape the design of the power to introduce a levy that will be devolved to local leaders.The impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear these concerns. This will inform their decisions regarding whether and how a levy will be applied and how any revenue is invested.It will be for Business Improvement District (BID) bodies and businesses to determine whether to continue with BID arrangements following any local decision to put in place a visitor levy.The Written Ministerial Statement was made in Parliament prior to the press notice being issued on gov.uk.

Further to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's press release entitled Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth of 25 November 2025, what assessment she has made of the cumulative impact of (a) VAT, (b) corporation tax, (c) National Insurance for employers, (d) business rates and (e) the overnight visitor levy on (i) the economic viability of the British hospitality sector and (ii) the cost of a domestic family holiday.

The impacts of visitor levies will largely be determined by local decisions.Mayors will need to decide whether to implement a levy, and, if so, consult on specific proposals. Giving this power to local leaders who best understand their region enables them to tailor it to growing their local region.Individuals and organisations will have the opportunity to engage with Mayors on these decisions throughout the consultation period and beyond.The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development and the Government welcomes engagement from the hospitality sector through the consultation process. On business rates, many hospitality businesses have seen their independent valuations go up since the pandemic. For properties seeing bills go up our support package will cap most increases at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. We've also reduced tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties to rebalance the system for good. On employer National insurance contributions, in the Government published a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) which set out the impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 changes. The Government decided to protect the smallest businesses from these changes by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. This means that this year, 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all, and more than half of all employers will either gain or will see no change.

Communities and Local Government, further to the press release, "Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth", of 25 November 2025, whether the overnight visitor levy will be levied only in areas with mayoral strategic authorities, or whether it will be chargeable by other local authorities without a mayor.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth including through support for the local visitor economy.The Visitor Levy Consultation, running until 18 February 2026, sets out the details of governments proposals for this power. This consultation will ensure the public, businesses, and local government can shape the design of the power to introduce a levy that will be devolved to local leaders.The impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear these concerns. This will inform their decisions regarding whether and how a levy will be applied and how any revenue is invested.It will be for Business Improvement District (BID) bodies and businesses to determine whether to continue with BID arrangements following any local decision to put in place a visitor levy.The Written Ministerial Statement was made in Parliament prior to the press notice being issued on gov.uk.

Communities and Local Government, further to the press release, "Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth", of 25 November 2025, whether the overnight visitor levy will be levied on (a) short-term lets, (b) holiday caravan pitches, (c) holiday caravan rentals, (d) YMCA hostels, (e) holiday campsites and (f) scout and girl guide campsites; and whether transit traveller sites will be exempt.

The government proposes that all types of commercially-let short-term accommodation should be within scope of a visitor levy, including short-term holiday lets as well as hotels, guesthouses etc, subject to local decisions on the scheme. Further information is set out on page 22 of the Visitor Levy Consultation published on 26 November. Consideration will be given to the types of accommodation in scope following consultation.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025, to Question 23941, on Tourism: Taxation, and further to the MHCLG press release, "Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth", of 25 November 2025, what was the rationale for the change in the Chancellor’s policy further to that set out in January.

The Government keeps all tax policy under review. The Government’s number one mission is to kickstart economic growth, and devolving fiscal powers is critical to achieving this. Introducing powers to raise a visitor levy provides Mayors with a new lever to both raise and reinvest revenue locally. Mayors in Strategic Authorities have made clear that introducing a new, discretionary visitor levy power is one of their shared priorities for further devolution.

Communities and Local Government, further to the press release, Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth, of 25 November 2025, for what reason the press release was distributed via gov.uk before the Written Ministerial Statement was laid before Parliament.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth including through support for the local visitor economy.The Visitor Levy Consultation, running until 18 February 2026, sets out the details of governments proposals for this power. This consultation will ensure the public, businesses, and local government can shape the design of the power to introduce a levy that will be devolved to local leaders.The impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear these concerns. This will inform their decisions regarding whether and how a levy will be applied and how any revenue is invested.It will be for Business Improvement District (BID) bodies and businesses to determine whether to continue with BID arrangements following any local decision to put in place a visitor levy.The Written Ministerial Statement was made in Parliament prior to the press notice being issued on gov.uk.

Communities and Local Government, further to the press release, Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth, of 25 November 2025, what is the estimated increase to the cost of an average family holiday, with two adults and two children, in England.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth including through support for the local visitor economy.The Visitor Levy Consultation, running until 18 February 2026, sets out the details of governments proposals for this power. This consultation will ensure the public, businesses, and local government can shape the design of the power to introduce a levy that will be devolved to local leaders.The impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear these concerns. This will inform their decisions regarding whether and how a levy will be applied and how any revenue is invested.It will be for Business Improvement District (BID) bodies and businesses to determine whether to continue with BID arrangements following any local decision to put in place a visitor levy.The Written Ministerial Statement was made in Parliament prior to the press notice being issued on gov.uk.

Whether his Department has received feedback from local authorities administering the Warm Homes Grant on the difficulties of accessing park home sites for the purpose of retrofitting those properties; and if officials have held discussions with representatives of park home sites on retrofitting park homes with the Warm Homes Grant.

Park homes are eligible for support under the Warm Home: Local Grant (WH:LG). Officials would welcome working closely with local authorities and their supply chains, who deliver the scheme, to unlock any issues and ensure support reaches eligible households. Local authorities in receipt of the Warm Homes: Local Grant are encouraged to contact the department for advice or problem-solving, either through their assigned Delivery Support Manager (DSM) or directly with the department. We remain committed to working collaboratively to ensure park home residents benefit fully from the scheme.

When he plans to reply to the correspondence from the Rt hon. Member for Braintree of 13 August 2025.

The Department for Business and Trade aims to respond to correspondence in 15 working days but in some instances it can take longer. The response to this case has now been issued and the department apologises for the length of time this has taken and are reviewing our processes to support better transfers between departments.

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 84594 on Community Infrastructure Levy, if he will make it his policy to collate data on unspent (a) Section 106 and (b) Community Infrastructure Levy funds.

My Department is exploring proportionate and efficient ways of collecting and analysing data from Infrastructure Funding Statements, alongside other relevant sources of evidence. I also refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 54059 on 6 June 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer of 28 July 2025 to Question HL9659 on Elections: Proof of Identity, whether (a) basic bank accounts and (b) prepaid cards that do not require credit checks could be used.

Bank cards will be accepted as voter ID if they are issued by a UK-regulated bank and display the elector’s name. This includes cards issued with a basic bank account and prepaid cards that meet these requirements.