Written questions by Cleverly.

Communities and Local Government, what representations his Department has received from local authorities on creating charter trustees, in the context of local government restructuring.

No formal representations have yet been received from local authorities on creating charter trustees. The government will ensure that the ceremonial rights and privileges of an area will be maintained after any reorganisation. As part of the statutory invitation for reorganisation, all areas were asked to consider any impact on ceremonial rights as part of their proposals. Officials have been supporting councils as they develop proposals ready for submission to government in the coming weeks and months.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 21 July 2025, HCWS872, on Combating Hatred Against Muslim Fund, what was included in the bid by the British Muslim Trust for the contract to provide a comprehensive service to monitor and support victims of anti-Muslim hatred.

The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government received 34 applications to the Combating Hatred Against Muslim Fund. All applicants were required to submit a detailed business plan as well as provide answers to questions related to 16 criteria. More information on the 16 criteria which applications were assessed against can be found on the fund’s prospectus - Combatting Hate Against Muslims fund: prospectus - GOV.UK. Due diligence checks were undertaken into all high scoring applicants. Financial checks were undertaken using the Spotlight due diligence tool. This uses risk indicators, developed by national security and fraud experts to inform decisions about whether to award a grant or contract, and onward monitoring, providing real time information from a range of government and commercial data sources in order to risk assess grant applicants including any linked directors, companies and beneficial owners.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the abolition of (a) the New Homes Bonus and (b) payments for bringing empty homes back into use on the number of empty homes.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 73762 on 9 September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of estate agents who are not members of a redress scheme.

My Department has made no such estimate. The National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team (NTSEAT), operated by Powys County Council, approve the bodies that administer government-sanctioned estate agent redress schemes. In instances where NTSEAT or the agent redress schemes are made aware of an agent potentially operating without redress scheme membership, cases are referred to the relevant local authority for further investigation.

Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) retaining, (b) reforming and (c) removing the requirement for (i) applicants to councils and (ii) councils to place statutory notices in local newspapers.

The Government is concerned about the sustainability of local journalism and DCMS is developing a Local Media Strategy, in recognition of the importance of this vital sector. We also recognise that local press continues to play a vital role in informing local communities, and that statutory notices can play an important role in helping inform the public of decisions made by their council which may affect their quality of life, local services or amenities, or their property.However, we are also aware of concerns from some sectors about the audience reach of these notices and the desire for greater digitalisation. In this context, the sector’s Public Notice Portal is a welcome innovation, taking advantage of print publishers’ growing digital audiences and providing a centralised resource for all types of statutory notice. We also welcome the Portal's current expansion to include archive and consultation functions to help public bodies and commercial entities engage with the public more effectively.DCMS is monitoring the progress of the Portal, and the effect that it has on the audience reach of statutory notices. This type of industry innovation and collaboration is integral to securing the sector’s future. It will be taken into account in our planned review of statutory notices as part of the Local Media Strategy, which will more broadly consider the merits of making changes to existing requirements to place statutory notices in print local newspapers. More will be announced on the Strategy in the coming months.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16490 on Deputy Prime Minister: Departmental Responsibilities, what the total number of staff who are employed within his Department’s Policy and Strategy Unit is; what the headcount figures are for (a) Directors, (b) Deputy Directors, (c) senior policy advisers at Grade 6/7, (d) policy advisers at HEO/SEO and (e) any other staff; and whether he has plans to change the number.

The Department’s Policy and Strategy unit sits within a wider Director-led Strategy Directorate. It is comprised of two Deputy Directors, supported by 19 senior policy advisors (at grade 6/7) and 4 policy advisors (at grade HEO/SEO). The approach to recruitment and staffing levels is in line with the approach taken to date for these central functions.

With reference to the Answer of 21 July 2025 to Question HL9153 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, on what date was the last communication between the Cabinet Office and Westminster City Council in relation to the former Deputy Prime Minister's official residence in Admiralty House.

Engagement with Westminster City Council (WCC) regarding Council Tax is managed by the Government Property Agency (GPA). The GPA last engaged with WCC regarding the former Deputy Prime Minister's official residence in Admiralty House on 29th July 2025.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 67391 on Building: Safety, whether his Department has made an estimate of the potential regulatory cost of London having different building safety standards to the rest of England.

The Department has not made a specific estimate of the potential regulatory cost of London having different building safety standards to the rest of England. Building regulations are set nationally under the Building Act 1984 and apply uniformly across England. Local authorities, including those in London, may apply additional planning or enforcement measures. Where regulatory changes are proposed, the Department undertakes an Impact Assessment in accordance with HM Treasury’s Green Book guidance. These assessments consider the costs and benefits of regulatory proposals, including regional impacts where relevant, for example recognising the higher prevalence of high-rise buildings in London. To date, no Impact Assessment has been undertaken specifically to quantify the cost implications of London diverging from national building safety standards. The Department continues to work closely with the Greater London Authority and other stakeholders to ensure building safety reforms are implemented consistently and proportionately across all regions. We keep regional impacts under review as part of our ongoing engagement with the Building Safety Regulator and future updates to guidance.

Communities and Local Government, if he will use his powers under section 10 of the Local Government Act 1999 with Cambridge City Council in relation to its adoption of a 4 day week.

Local authorities are independent employers responsible for the management of their own workforces. While it is not government policy to support a four-day working week in local authorities, the government will not intervene using powers under section 10 of the Local Government Act 1999 nor will it be micromanaging local authorities in relation to this working arrangement.

What recent discussion he has had with the Mineral Products Association on landfill tax reforms.

The government consulted on proposals for reform of landfill tax on 28 April following a call for evidence in 2021. The consultation closed on 28 July, and the government is currently considering responses. The Government recognises the significant economic value of the aggregates sector, particularly in operating quarries and providing construction materials to support the governments ambitious housebuilding and infrastructure construction targets. We have engaged with representatives of the aggregates sector, including the Mineral Products Association, to understand the impact of any tax changes, which will be carefully considered as part of the consultation process.

Communities and Local Government, what meetings his Department has had with representatives of the Labour Infrastructure Forum.

My Department received a representation from the Labour Infrastructure Forum on 26 June regarding their recently published report on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. To date, there has been no engagement between the Department and the Labour Infrastructure Forum on this report.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) building regulations and (b) planning policy on levels of installation of air conditioning in new build homes.

Part O of the Building Regulations, which was introduced in June 2021 and came into force in June 2022, ensures new homes are designed to minimise the risk of overheating.Given the Government’s net zero commitment, our preferred means of mitigating overheating is through passive measures, which ensure little or no energy is required to manage indoor temperatures. While mechanical cooling, such as air conditioning, is effective at reducing overheating, it is not a desirable or financially efficient solution due to the energy it consumes. Widespread reliance on mechanical cooling would place additional demand on the national grid, slowing the transition to a zero-carbon system and requiring further generation capacity. There are also implications for households, as the costs associated with mechanical cooling could exacerbate fuel poverty where people are unable to afford to run cooling systems.Mechanical cooling can still be used to comply with Part O. However developers must first demonstrate that all reasonable passive measures have been implemented before adopting mechanical solutions.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 68123 on Business Premises: Rents, if he will place a copy of the research in the Library.

The government published a full Impact Assessment upon First Reading of the Bill on 10 July. The Impact Assessment provides a summary of the economic analysis and research the government relied upon to reach the decision.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 30143 on Byelaws, what legislative vehicle his Department plans to use to implement its proposals on byelaws from the English Devolution White Paper.

Byelaw reform proposals outlined in the English Devolution White Paper will be subject to consultation. The government will consider how proposals will be implemented following this.

Communities and Local Government, whether the use of a hotel as asylum hostel accommodation constitutes a material change of use.

Whether or not use of a hotel to accommodate asylum seekers would constitute a material change of use requiring planning permission will be a matter of fact and degree for the local planning authority to determine in the first instance, depending on the individual circumstances of each case.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 104 of his Department's annual report and accounts 2024-25, published in July 2025, on Loans measured at FVTPL, what programme the £26,981,000 payment relates to.

The payment within Homes England’s Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25 recorded under Loans measured at FVTPL relates to the Home Building Fund.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 104 of the MHCLG annual report and accounts 2024-25, published in July 2025, whether Homes England is now making use of the software licensing; and whether the £324,000 has been permanently lost.

Homes England entered into an agreement to acquire software licences for use on an investment project in early development during 2024/25. Due to delays in progressing the project, the Agency was unable to utilise the licences within that financial year, resulting in an unavoidable payment. The circumstances and financial implications are detailed in Homes England’s Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 83 of his Department's policy paper entitled Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections, published on 17 July 2025, whether the code of conduct will include Islamophobia.

The Government is clear that all forms of harassment, intimidation and abuse are unacceptable and have no place in our democracy. As set out in the Restoring Trust in our Democracy strategy, we will work with the Speaker’s Conference and the Electoral Commission to develop a code of conduct for campaigning which is fit for purpose. This code will aim to reduce harassment and intimidation of all forms, improve the tone of campaigning, and promote a safer and more inclusive democratic environment.

Communities and Local Government, which trade unions in (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies receive (i) facility time and (ii) diversity network time.

The Department recognises 3 Unions: PCS, Prospect & FDA. Our agencies each have their own recognised Trade Unions. Facility time is granted in line with Cabinet Office guidance. Requesting time for staff network activities is a separate provision to the facility time granted to recognised Unions. Requests for Diversity Network time are considered in accordance with Departmental policy.

Communities and Local Government, which international conferences were attended by Homes England in the 2024-25 financial year; and what the cost was of attending each conference.

Homes England attended two international conferences in the 2024-25 financial year, MIPIM and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). The total cost to attend MIPIM was £25,213.91 which included flights, hotels and tickets for all attendees. The total cost to attend ULI was £319.20 which included flights and hotel.