Every parliamentary written question tabled by Kevin Hollinrake this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 2,501–2,520 of 2,858 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, whether the Mayor of London has requested a higher council tax referendum for 2025-26.
The government is currently consulting on the provisional local government finance settlement including the proposed council tax referendum principles for 2025-26. It has not received a request from the Mayor of London for additional flexibilities in the referendum principles.
Communities and Local Government, what her policy is on the provision of pensions funded from the public purse for (a) councillors, (b) council mayors and (c) combined authority mayors.
Currently, mayors and councillors in England are not eligible for membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), after access was removed in 2014. As the Responsible Authority for the LGPS, MHCLG keeps access to the scheme under regular review.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 99 of the English Devolution White Paper, CP 1218, whether councils will be able to ban smoking in public places under the new byelaw powers.
The government will work with councils to determine how byelaws should be made and whether byelaw making powers should be extended to Strategic Authorities, as set out in the English Devolution White Paper.The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will extend smoke-free designation to outdoor places including outside schools, children’s playgrounds and hospitals but not to outdoor hospitality settings or wider open spaces like beaches. The proposed reforms under the Bill will be subject to a full consultation, and we want to hear the views of people from across the country on this to ensure we get it right. As drafted, the Bill does not give any additional powers to local authorities.
Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to publicly advertise her Department's guidance entitled Paying the right level of Council Tax: a plain English guide to Council Tax, updated 26 April 2024.
The government does not have any plans to launch a publicity campaign for this guide. The government’s plain English guide to council tax sets out how the council tax system operates and the support available in the system. This guide is freely available on gov.uk.
Communities and Local Government, what her Department's timetable is for the commencement of Section 111 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023.
In our response to the National Planning Policy Framework consultation published on 12 December 2024 we made clear that we will take the steps necessary to implement build out reporting. This will involve implementing the provisions in Section 111 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 through regulations, following technical consultation. These provisions will make it a requirement for housing developers to formally notify local planning authorities before they commence development via development commencement notices.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 January 2025 to Question 16491 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Consultants and Special Advisers and pursuant to the Answer of 11 October 2024 to Question 5420 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Pentland Communications and Sovereign Strategy, if she will list all meetings held between her Department's special advisers and representatives of (a) Sovereign Strategy and (b) Pentland Communications since 5 July 2024 that are not otherwise in scope of the transparency requirements set out in the Cabinet Office guidance entitled Special advisers’ gifts and hospitality received, and meetings with Senior Media Figures, published on 2 April 2024.
In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of external meetings held by Special Advisers are only published in line with the requirements set out in guidance here.
Communities and Local Government, what guidance (a) her Department and (b) the Planning Inspectorate has issued on representations on planning applications subject to foreign interference.
In dealing with any application, Ministers and officials will act in accordance with published propriety guidance on planning casework decisions. More information can be found on gov.uk here.
Communities and Local Government, whether an (a) Equality Impact Assessment and (b) Environmental Principles assessment was undertaken on the decision to call-in the planning application for the Chinese Embassy.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 17009 on 6 December 2024.Equality Impact Assessment or Environmental Principles Assessments are not undertaken on decisions to call-in planning applications.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2024 to Question 14996, on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, whether Innovate UK requested that the planning application be called-in.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 14996 on 27 November 2024.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2024 to Question 14996 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, whether the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs requested that the planning application be called-in.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 14996 on 27 November 2024.
What her policy is on business rate relief in (a) freeports, (b) investment zones and (b) legacy enterprise zones; and how that relief will apply to the new business rate multiplier on hereditaments over £500,000 rateable value.
Freeports, Investment Zones and Enterprise Zones have access to a range of tax reliefs, including 100 per cent business rates relief. The eligibility criteria for business rates relief in Freeports and Enterprise Zones is available online: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-business-rate-relief, as well as guidance for local authorities on granting Investment Zone business rate relief: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/investment-zones-business-rates-relief-scheme-guidance-for-local-authorities/investment-zone-business-rates-relief-local-authority-guidance. The Government has announced its intention to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000, from 2026-27. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so we intend to apply a higher rate from 2026-27 on the most valuable properties - those with a Rateable Value of £500,000 and above. When calculating business rates liabilities, the multiplier is applied first and then reliefs are applied after. This means that eligible businesses in these areas will receive 100 per cent business rates relief on their liability under the new multipliers.
Communities and Local Government, what the average capital grant subsidy is per unit for a social rent dwelling.
The Department delegates delivery of the Affordable Homes Programme to Homes England outside London and to the Greater London Authority (GLA) in London. The government agrees budgets and targets with both agencies to deliver the programme’s overall targets for additional homes and specific types of tenure, as well as types of home, including those built using of Modern Methods of Construction and Supported Housing.In awarding contracts under the programme Homes England and the GLA assess the need for grant on a site-by-site basis. In agreeing how much grant a project requires they will take into account the costs for building out the site with how much grant is needed to make that project viable, and the overall value for money for the programme. The most recent publication, with data reflecting grant allocations to the end of March 2023, can be found here.
Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20229 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, for what reason the readout does not include reference to discussions on the Chinese Embassy.
There is nothing further to add to my answer of 19 December, Official Report, PQ 20229
Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department issues on whether the erection of an electricity pylon close to a dwelling is a material consideration in relation to the current valuation and council tax dwelling of a property.
The erection of a new electricity pylon close to a dwelling (property) will give the owner or occupier the right to submit a proposal (formal challenge) to alter the Council Tax list. The proposal can be made if they believe there has been a “material reduction” in the value of the dwelling due to “any change in the physical state of the dwelling’s locality”. Material reduction is defined in section 87 part 10 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.Forms and guidance for making a proposal can be found on gov.uk here.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 15805 on Mo Baines, for what reason Mo Baines’ declaration of political activity was not published when her appointment as Lead Non-Executive Director was announced on 23 October 2024.
Non-Executive Board Members’ relevant interests are updated and published bi-annually as part of an established process as set out on the following gov.uk page: Non-Executive Board Member declaration of interests process - GOV.UK.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16197 on Prisoners’ Release: Homelessness, what steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Justice to monitor levels of homelessness of people released under the SDS40 early release scheme.
Data on the number of prisoners released under SDS40 who were released homeless is retained locally at each prison. Ministry of Justice is currently collating data relating to the September and October SDS40 release dates and this will be published in due course.MHCLG collects and regularly publishes management information from local authorities on rough sleeping. The most recent data, for September, was published here on 28 November. The management information includes the number of people seen sleeping rough following release from prison.MHCLG collect information on duties owed to those have been in custody through the homelessness case level collection (H-CLIC) on a quarterly basis and the figures for April to June are published here. This data will be used to monitor the impact of the SDS release scheme on homelessness levels, once received.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of permitting community owned facilities to use red diesel for the purposes of (a) heating and (b) electricity generation.
In 2020, the previous Government announced that the red diesel entitlement would be withdrawn from most sectors from April 2022. Following consultation in 2020-21, the previous Government confirmed that some sectors would retain the entitlement to use red diesel, including non-commercial heat and power generation, and domestic heating. A machine or appliance may use red diesel where 75% or more of the electricity or heat generated is for premises, or parts of premises, that are not used for commercial purposes. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of public finances.
Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential effect of the APPG on British Muslims definition of Islamophobia on (a) free speech and (b) the ability to criticise criminal practices such as grooming gangs.
The Government has been clear that our approach to tackling religious hatred will never inhibit free speech or allow cultural or religious sensitivities to get in the way of delivering justice. We have been focused on a more integrated and cohesive approach to tackling religious hatred. While we are carefully looking at the issue of a definition for Islamophobia as part of this approach, this would not be legislative and would be used as a guidance tool for institutions.
Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government plans to take to amend the rules on (a) donations to political parties and (b) the permissibility of donations from foreign business owners through UK-registered businesses.
I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN HL3289 on 20 December 2024.
Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to mandate local government restructuring as part of her plan for devolution.
The English Devolution White Paper announced that we will facilitate a programme of local government reorganisation for two-tier areas, and for unitary councils where there is evidence of failure or where their size or boundaries may be hindering their ability to deliver sustainable and high-quality public services. The White Paper was clear that reorganisation should not delay devolution and plans for both should be complementary, also that we will deliver this process as quickly as possible, including through legislation where it becomes necessary to ensure progress.All levels of local government have a part to play in bringing improved structures to their area through reorganisation, and we expect all councils in an area to work together to develop unitary proposals that are in the best interests of the whole area.