Written questions by Glen.

Communities and Local Government, under what circumstances she would direct Local Government Pension Funds to a specific asset pool.

The government’s firm preference is for pool membership to be determined on a voluntary basis at a local level. In the Pension Schemes Bill, the government has made provision for a power to protect the Local Government Pension Scheme over the long term. The power could be used to direct an administering authority to participate in a specific pool in the event that an authority is left without a pool to participate in or that a pool’s governance intractably breaks down. The government would intend only to use this power as a backstop in these circumstances.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of levels of (a) freedom of religion or belief and (b) rights for people to engage in peaceful religious expression; and what steps she is taking to balance those rights with other (i) legal and (ii) public interest considerations.

Freedom of religion or belief expression is a fundamental human right. The Government believes that everyone in Britain has the right to feel safe and at ease in the place where they live. Any individual or group is free to express views and beliefs, but they have a duty to behave responsibly and to respect other people’s rights.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 2.81 of the Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, what assumption her Department has made of the level of council tax receipts to be raised in England in 2025-2

Decisions on council tax levels are for individual local authorities. In line with OBR forecasts made under the previous government, the government will maintain a core 3% referendum principle and a 2% adult social care precept.

Communities and Local Government, if she will ask the Office for National Statistics to publish data on the number and proportion of households that have only one adult in each local authority.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for collating and publishing official statistics and performs this function independent of the Government.The ONS have published data on household composition at local authority level from the 2021 C...

Communities and Local Government, what (a) direct ministerial and (b) other public appointments to her Department and associated bodies have (i) been (A) removed from their posts and (B) asked to resign and (ii)

Since 4 July 2024, 4 public appointees to the Department and associated bodies have left their posts. 10 direct ministerial appointments have been made (to the New Towns Taskforce).

Communities and Local Government, how many people have been appointed to civil service positions without open competition in her Department since the general election; what their (a) job titles and (b) salary ban

MHCLG made 47 appointments by exception to fair, open and merit-based recruitment principles from 1 July to 31 September 2024.All appointments were at grades below the Senior Civil Service. We are unable to break this down further (ie grade level) as the ...

Communities and Local Government, what the planned (a) remit of and (b) budget for the Council of Nations and Regions is; and which regions have been invited to participate in the council.

The Council of the Nations and Regions will bring together the Prime Minister, the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, the First and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, and the Mayors of Combined Authorities to renew opportunities to collaborate...

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the contribution of multiculturism to communities; and what steps her Department is taking to promote social cohesion.

This Government is committed to working with communities around the UK to build a culture of cohesion, trust and mutual respect. Building strong relationships and creating spaces and opportunities to bring people from different walks of life together is v...

Communities and Local Government, whether there are restrictions on Mr Haydon Etherington's activity as a member of the Labour Party whilst serving as Senior Policy Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister.

There are clear rules governing recruitment and appointment of civil service roles which are regulated by the Civil Service Commission. We do not comment on individual staffing matters. The approach to recruitment and staffing levels is in line with the a...

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 31 July 2024 to Question 1226 on Community Relations, what policies the Prime Minister plans to implement to (a) reduce divisions and (b) promote unity.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has established an interministerial Communities & Recovery Steering Group, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, that will oversee the ongoing response to recent violent unrest in the medium te...

Communities and Local Government, which Department is responsible for Government policy on community pubs.

The policy for community assets, including community pubs, sits within MHCLG.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Prime Minister intends to appoint a Minister for Faith.

My noble friend Lord Khan of Burnley has been appointed as the Minister for Faith, Communities and Resettlement. Details of ministerial responsibilities for the department are published on gov.uk.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to allow for teenagers to be elected as hon. Members.

Persons aged 18 years and over are already able to stand and be elected at UK Parliamentary elections.

Communities and Local Government, whether Government ministers plan to meet with the Muslim Council of Britain.

The Government recognises the importance of engaging meaningfully with faith and belief groups. There has been no change to HMG policy and there are no plans for Ministers to meet with the Muslim Council of Britain.

Communities and Local Government, which Department is responsible for tackling intimidation in public life.

Intimidation and abuse of those participating in public life has no place in our society and cannot be tolerated. As this is a broad issue that spans across a wide range of organisations and aspects of society, there is not one department with sole responsibility.Many Government departments are working collaboratively to tackle this issue. For example, Ministers in the Home Office are responsible for the protective security of election candidates, and Ministers in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) are responsible for elections, including the conduct of campaigning. The Deputy Prime Minister and Home Secretary have already hosted a roundtable to discuss political intimidation and abuse which took place during the recent General Election.To bring together work on this and other issues, the Government has created the Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit (JESP) as a permanent unit, dedicated to protecting UK elections. JESP sits between the Cabinet Office and MHCLG as a strategic centre, bringing together government departments, the police, the intelligence agencies, the devolved governments, and external partners to respond to issues, including intimidation in elections.