Written questions by Cleverly.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2025, to Question 27162, on Civil Society: Islam, whether the Islamophobia Working Group took evidence from (a) MEND, (b) CAGE, (c) the Muslim Association of Britain and (d) the Muslim Council of Britain.

The Anti-Muslim Hatred/ Islamophobia Working Group launched a Call for Evidence which closed on Sunday 20 July. It was open to the public and any individual or organisation was able to submit evidence.The Department does not engage with MEND, CAGE, the Muslim Association of Britain or the Muslim Council of Britain and the Working Group did not meet with any of these organisations.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Statement of 9 March 2026, Official Report, Column 80, on Social Cohesion Action Plan, whether organisations deemed extremist or subject to the Government’s policy of non-engagement were permitted to submit evidence to Islamophobia working group met.

The Anti-Muslim Hatred/ Islamophobia Working Group launched a Call for Evidence which closed on Sunday 20 July. It was open to the public and any individual or organisation was able to submit evidence.The Department does not engage with MEND, CAGE, the Muslim Association of Britain or the Muslim Council of Britain and the Working Group did not meet with any of these organisations.

Media and Sport, with reference to the command paper, Protecting What Matters, CP 1540, 9 March 2026, page 21, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of reductions in the requirements for statutory notices in local papers on the financial sustainability of local newspapers.

As part of the Local Media Action Plan, we have outlined plans for a review of statutory notices. In this review, we intend to consult on whether action is needed to better ensure that communities have access to journalistic scrutiny of local decisionmaking. We will launch a public consultation, to determine whether any changes to legislation are required, and our approach will be informed by the following principles, that we: continue to drive transparency and accountability in local governanceserve all audienceshelp ensure value for money to the local authorities and others required to publicise the information contained within statutory noticesmaintain a link to journalistic scrutinyfoster innovation in the local media ecosystem and do not unfairly disadvantage local news outlets with a proven track record in public interest journalism regardless of whether they operate in print, online or both. We will publish our planned timetable in the coming weeks.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the command paper, Protecting What Matters, CP 1540, 9 March 2026, page 44, if he will name the members of the Social Cohesion Taskforce.

We will provide more detail of the cross-government integration strategy in due course.The Social Cohesion Taskforce is an internal Civil Service team comprised of civil servants. Following existing precedent, we will not be identifying members.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2026, to Question HL14714, on MHCLG: Public Consultation, what the policy approach of his Department is on this matter.

As the Department with responsibility for Counter Extremism policy since 2024, Home Office oversees the engagement principles for government and will advise and share information to help inform the decisions of other departments, including MHCLG. The responsibility for decisions around who departments engage with sits with respective departments and the appropriate policy areas.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85787 on Combined Authorities and Unitary Councils, whether it remains the case that new unitary councils should have a population size of 500,000 or more.

The 500,000 population figure has always been a guiding principle, not a fixed threshold. There may need to be exceptions to ensure new structures make sense for an area, including to support devolution, and that decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. The population size of proposed new unitary councils therefore varies between areas. Where any new council is below 500,000, the Secretary of State is satisfied that it is appropriate on the basis it produces the most coherent and effective outcome for that area. As standard, the Secretary of State had discussions on new unitary councils with relevant colleagues in Government and decisions were collectively agreed through the normal and well-established processes.

Communities and Local Government, what the estimated (a) population size and (b) total number of households is in each of the proposed new unitary councils in England.

The 500,000 population figure has always been a guiding principle, not a fixed threshold. There may need to be exceptions to ensure new structures make sense for an area, including to support devolution, and that decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. The population size of proposed new unitary councils therefore varies between areas. Where any new council is below 500,000, the Secretary of State is satisfied that it is appropriate on the basis it produces the most coherent and effective outcome for that area. As standard, the Secretary of State had discussions on new unitary councils with relevant colleagues in Government and decisions were collectively agreed through the normal and well-established processes.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2026, to Question 119513, on Elections: Local Government, what consideration was given to consulting the Parliamentary Parties Panel on the local election pilots in May 2026.

The government is exploring ways to make voting in person more efficient, more convenient, and better aligned with the expectations of today’s electors. These pilots are part of the government’s commitment to encourage greater participation in our democracy and to modernise the voting process, this commitment extends to town and parish council elections, such as those being held in North Hertfordshire in May.The government did not receive any requests or expressions of interest that were rejected. Several local authorities expressed interest but did not make a formal application.There have been no prospectus documents, calls for evidence, bidding documents, consultations or pilot invitations published in the last twelve months on matters other than the flexible voting pilots.The flexible voting pilots are being funded by the Department.Regarding the government’s engagement with stakeholders for the flexible voting pilots, I refer the Rt Hon. Member to Question UIN 87029 on 12 November 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his plans to commence Section 9 of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009, what consideration has been made of whether the new Section 54A requirements can be fulfilled through electronic submissions and electronic consent.

The Government has committed to commencing section 54A of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, as inserted by section 9 of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009, and intends to do so before the end of this Parliament. The Electoral Commission is responsible for producing guidance to support compliance with political finance rules. The Department does not intend to issue separate guidance. Matters relating to the practical operation of the declaration requirement, including whether declarations may be made electronically, are for the Electoral Commission to consider as part of its role in supporting compliance. There is presently no intention to commence sections 10 and 11 of the 2009 Act.

Communities and Local Government, what the provisional budget is for flexible voting pilots in (a) 2026 and (b) 2027.

The government is exploring ways to make voting in person more efficient, more convenient, and better aligned with the expectations of today’s electors. These pilots are part of the government’s commitment to encourage greater participation in our democracy and to modernise the voting process, this commitment extends to town and parish council elections, such as those being held in North Hertfordshire in May.The government did not receive any requests or expressions of interest that were rejected. Several local authorities expressed interest but did not make a formal application.There have been no prospectus documents, calls for evidence, bidding documents, consultations or pilot invitations published in the last twelve months on matters other than the flexible voting pilots.The flexible voting pilots are being funded by the Department.Regarding the government’s engagement with stakeholders for the flexible voting pilots, I refer the Rt Hon. Member to Question UIN 87029 on 12 November 2025.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2026, to Question 117734, on Local Government: Elections, where there are any other (a) prospectus documents, (b) calls for evidence, (c) bidding documents, (d) consultations or (e) pilot invitations send to local authorities, on matters other than flexible voting pilots, that have not been published on gov.uk, in the last 12 months.

The government is exploring ways to make voting in person more efficient, more convenient, and better aligned with the expectations of today’s electors. These pilots are part of the government’s commitment to encourage greater participation in our democracy and to modernise the voting process, this commitment extends to town and parish council elections, such as those being held in North Hertfordshire in May.The government did not receive any requests or expressions of interest that were rejected. Several local authorities expressed interest but did not make a formal application.There have been no prospectus documents, calls for evidence, bidding documents, consultations or pilot invitations published in the last twelve months on matters other than the flexible voting pilots.The flexible voting pilots are being funded by the Department.Regarding the government’s engagement with stakeholders for the flexible voting pilots, I refer the Rt Hon. Member to Question UIN 87029 on 12 November 2025.

Pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2026, to Question 111691, on Valuation Office Agency: Conference, if she will place in the Library a copy of any presentations from the Valuation Office Agency at the (a) December 2024, (b) March 2025 and (c) September 2025 international conferences.

We do not routinely publish presentations from conferences, so we do not intend to place them in the Library.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department or Homes England undertakes liquidity tests on strategic partners.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 119480 on 17 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the economic and social impact of the diversion of funds from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Towns Fund to the Pride of Place programme, in relation to the ending of government funding for small towns and high streets that are not a designated constituency in the Pride of Place programme.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Towns Fund were time limited programmes with specific aims. No funding from these programmes has been diverted to the Pride in Place Programme. The Pride in Place Programme is helping to deliver this government’s ambition targeting support to the most in-need communities to have the biggest impact. Full details of the methodologies used for place selection have been published on gov.uk.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026, to Question 119661, on Agriculture: Land, whether his department has received representations from (a) local authorities and (b) Hon Members, in relation to planning enforcement of unauthorised traveller encampments and development being frustrated by the subdivision of land into multiple small plots.

My Department has received no representations regarding enforcement against unauthorised development undertaken by travellers being frustrated by the subdivision of land into multiple small plots.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 25 March 2026 on Local Government Reorganisation, HCWS1455, if he will set out the proposed changes to the governance arrangements for the new mayoral combined authority; and how many votes each unitary will have on the new combined authorities in the devolution priority areas.

In the first instance, the Government is establishing Mayoral Combined County Authorities in the areas on the Devolution Priority Programme that are yet to undergo local government reorganisation. These will consist of the existing upper-tier local authorities. Following reorganisation, these Authorities will be converted to Mayoral Combined Authorities, consisting of the new unitary authorities. Governance, including voting, arrangements will be specified in the legislation to effect the conversion.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116474 on Combined Authority: Elections, what his Department's policy rationale is for aligning the Cheshire and Warrington and Cumbria combined authority mayoral elections with the May 2027 council elections, but not aligning for the other Devolution Priority Programme combined authority mayoral elections and new unitary elections.

Following requests by the local authority leaders of Cheshire & Warrington and Cumbria, we agreed the inaugural mayoral elections for those two areas will take place in May 2027. The areas have issued public statements to explain their requests, highlighting that it would bring alignment with most local elections scheduled for 2027 – leading to significant savings and support higher turnout.The inaugural Mayoral elections for the remaining Devolution Priority Programme areas will be held in May 2028, so that they can complete the local government reorganisation process before Mayors take office. This will ensure that these institutions are built on firm foundations and that their Mayors are able to deliver for their regions and local communities from day one. Mayoral elections in Cheshire & Warrington and Cumbria will go ahead as planned in May 2027 as these areas are not currently undergoing local government reorganisation.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to Land value estimates for policy appraisal 2023, published on 16 March 2026, why the values are only up to date to 2023.

The land value estimates in question are expressed in October 2023 prices to provide a consistent and comparable base. However, the data used to produce the estimates is more recent. For example, while the estimates of non-residential land produced by the Valuation Office Agency draw on data up to August 2024, the estimates of residential land produced by my Department draw on data up to September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, further to the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) action plan: 2025 to 2028, published on 24 March 2026, whether his Department will be publishing an SME Action Plan.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published its Small and Medium sized Enterprises Action Plan 2025 to 2028 on 24 March 2026, the same day as the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury published their cross government Small and Medium sized Enterprises Action Plan.The Action Plan is publicly available on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, further to the OBR Economic and fiscal outlook, March 2026, para 3.41, what estimate has been made of the effect on the department’s forecast of average increase in Band D council tax from the uprated council tax referendum principles in (a) 2026-27, (b) 2027-28 and (c) 2028-29.

The average increase in Band D council tax excluding local precepts for 2026-27 is 4.8%, published here.Referendum principles for 2027-28 and 2028-29 will be confirmed in the Council Tax reports for 2027-28 and 2028-29 respectively.