Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cleverly this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1,481–1,500 of 1,703 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the collection entitled Crown Development and Urgent Crown Development applications and decisions, published on 10 September 2025, what criteria are used to assess whether a development is of national importance.
I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 13 February 2025 (HCWS454).
Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of council responses to the raising of UK national flags on (a) integration and (b) community relations.
The Prime Minister has been clear that he supports the flying of flags across the country. Flags should be an embodiment of bringing our country and our communities together. Decisions about whether flags should be removed are devolved to Local Authorities and it is for them to assess the impacts of removing or allowing flags to remain. Guidance exists, such as ‘Flying flags: a plain English guide” - as set out in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007 (as amended in 2012 and 2021) – which outlines the regulations related to the flying of flags in England.It is important that the decisions taken by Local Authorities reflect the character and values of the communities they serve. Where symbols are used in ways that threaten public safety, it is right that action is taken to address this.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 29 August 2025 to Question 68791 on MHCLG: English Language, if he will make an assessment of whether publications issued by his Department use (a) clear and (b) understandable language.
While there is no legal requirement for government documents to be published in plain English, the department always asks teams to use clear, understandable language in its publications.
How much funding his Department provided to Kent County Council for public health activities in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26; and whether the Council is required to use those funds to promote child vaccinations.
The Department of Health and Social Care allocated public health funding to Kent County Council of £86.6 million in 2024/25 and £91.3 million in 2025/26, which consists of:Total DHSC Public Health Funding to Kent County Council, £2024/252025/26Public Health Grant77,308,93582,039,842Drugs and Alcohol Treatment and recovering funding15,570,7255,584,314Start for Life Grant1,755,0001,799,600Stop Smoking Services1,944,8231,891,779Total86,579,48391,315,535[1] Includes contributions from the Department for Work and Pensions for individual placement and support funding and from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for rough sleeping drug and alcohol treatment funding which are transferred to the Department of Health and Social Care, and paid out via Department of Health and Social Care grants.Core funding for local authorities’ public health responsibilities is provided through the Public Health Grant. Local authorities are responsible for deciding how best to use this funding in support of their public health responsibilities. There is no specific requirement for them to use it to support access to National Health Service childhood immunisations, but local authority funded services may play an active role in promoting uptake of childhood vaccinations – for example through local authority-commissioned health visiting services that may advise parents on childhood vaccinations.
Communities and Local Government, which international conferences were attended by representatives of his Department since 4 July 2024; and what the cost was of attending each conference.
The requested information cannot be reported on centrally and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press release entitled Red tape slashed to revamp high streets with new cafes and bars, published on 26 July 2025, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of licensing hospitality zones on the regulation of licensed premises not designated as a hospitality zone.
The government is exploring a range of reforms proposed by the recent Licensing Taskforce to support the hospitality industry and night-time economy. This includes designating zones to promote or preserve economic and cultural activity. Similar approaches have been successful in the UK and overseas – for example, in New South Wales.We have launched a call for evidence to provide an opportunity for the public and a range of stakeholders to shape early policy development on the designation of licensing hospitality zones, alongside other possible reforms to the licensing system. The call for evidence is open to the public on gov.uk here.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the guidance entitled Local Regeneration Fund: accounting officer assessment, published on 2 September 2025, which projects were safeguarded following the consultation entitled Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: consultation on implementation of plan-making reforms of February 2025.
A list of the projects safeguarded is published on gov.uk: Local Regeneration Fund Culture Projects.
Communities and Local Government, what the average difference is in Band D council tax rates between parished and non-parished areas in 2025-26.
The Department does not hold data on the average Band D council tax for parished and non-parished areas.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2025 to Question 69680 on English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, with which mayors his Department has held discussions on the supplementary vote.
Before the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was introduced on 10 July 2025, all Mayors were invited to a briefing on the Bill, which included discussions on the change back to the supplementary vote.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written ministerial statement of 2 September 2025 on Local Regeneration, HCWS900, whether funding allocations previously given to local authorities from the Levelling Up Fund will be retained by those authorities.
Yes, as part of the Local Regeneration Fund, allocations provided to Local Authorities from the Levelling up Fund will be retained. The Local Regeneration Fund consolidates multiple funds into a single pot, with greater flexibility. It exemplifies this government’s commitment to pushing power to local authorities, reducing burdens and allowing them to get on with delivery.
Communities and Local Government, whether strategic authority commissioners will be politically restricted.
The government will be setting out further details on Commissioners in statutory guidance using powers set out in Schedule 3 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. We will consider appropriate political restrictions to be included in this guidance.
Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has issued guidance to the Local Government Pension Scheme on hiring lobbyists; and whether his Department has had recent discussions with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
The Department has not issued guidance to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) on hiring lobbyists. Local authorities should have regard to the provisions of the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity.The Department is in regular contact with LGPS funds and asset pools, including the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, as part of work to implement LGPS reforms.
Communities and Local Government, how much (a) revenue and (b) capital funding has been allocated to the Local Regeneration Fund in each year of the Spending Review period; and whether any of this funding has been repurposed from cancelled schemes.
The Local Regeneration Fund is a consolidation of existing local growth capital funds (Levelling Up Fund, Town Deals, and the Pathfinder Pilot). No schemes were cancelled. Local Authorities in receipt of Local Regeneration Fund were paid £1,330m Capital and £9.4m Revenue in September 2025 for financial year 2025/26. Departmental internal business planning processes for future years are still ongoing, therefore we cannot yet confirm specific allocations for the LRF at this time as allocations are provisional.
Communities and Local Government, when he plans to respond to the letter from the Rt hon. Member for Braintree of 13 August 2025.
The Rt Hon Member’s letter has been passed to the Department for Business and Trade for a response.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2025 to Question 75188 on MHCLG: University of Cambridge, for what reason the salary of the Chief Scientific Adviser is recharged through Cambridge University.
The MHCLG Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA) is a Professor of Engineering at Cambridge University. MHCLG is recharged a proportionate amount to account for his role as CSA in the department.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 29 August 2025 to Question 68790 on MHCLG: Civil Servants, for what reason the London pay range is paid to civil servants in the Hemel Hempstead office.
The application of the MHCLG London pay scale to the Hemel Hempstead office relates to a historic decision and wider contractual pay agreement reached with Departmental Trade Unions.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2025 to Question 70567 on Deputy Prime Minister: Finance, what the status is of staff in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister who did not work on matters in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, following the appointment of the new Deputy Prime Minister.
Staff allocated to the Office of the former Deputy Prime Minister continue to be employed by MHCLG, working on the priorities of the new Secretary of State.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16490 on Deputy Prime Minister: Departmental Responsibilities, what the status is of the policy and strategy unit that was allocated to the previous Deputy Prime Minister.
Staff allocated to the Office of the former Deputy Prime Minister continue to be employed by MHCLG, working on the priorities of the new Secretary of State.
Communities and Local Government, whether Essex county council elections will take place in May 2026.
I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 60731 on 24 June 2025.
Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce planning restrictions on the opening of (a) betting shops, (b) vaping shops and (c) Turkish barbers.
My Department currently has no plans to introduce such restrictions. An application for planning permission will always be required for an additional betting office. In the Pride in Place Strategy, we committed to introduce Cumulative Impact Assessments in gambling licensing, which will allow councils to take data-driven decisions on premises licences, particularly in areas that have been identified as being vulnerable to gambling-related harm. Furthermore, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will provide powers for ministers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to introduce a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products.