Written questions by Hollinrake.

With reference to his Department’s press release of 23 September 2024 entitled Home upgrade revolution as renters set for warmer homes and cheaper bills announcement, if he will list the exemptions that will apply to the requirement for (a) private and (b) social rented sector homes to have an Energy Performance Certificate C or equivalent by 2030.

The Government will consult on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector and on introducing a minimum energy efficiency standard for the social rented sector. The Government will work closely with both the private and socially rented sectors during the consultations and will consider potential exemptions as part of the consultation process.

What the average Rateable Value is of a pre-school nursery.

The Valuation Office Agency publishes this data as part of its official statistics on the stock of non-domestic properties: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/non-domestic-rating-stock-of-properties-2024 The mean rateable values for pre-school nurseries and independent schools in England and Wales are published on rows 254, 257 and 259, under column E in the Stock SCat, 2024 spreadsheet. Please note, figures show the mean rateable value in thousands of pounds.

What the average Rateable Value is of an independent school.

The Valuation Office Agency publishes this data as part of its official statistics on the stock of non-domestic properties: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/non-domestic-rating-stock-of-properties-2024 The mean rateable values for pre-school nurseries and independent schools in England and Wales are published on rows 254, 257 and 259, under column E in the Stock SCat, 2024 spreadsheet. Please note, figures show the mean rateable value in thousands of pounds.

What assessment (a) her Department and (b) the Valuation Office Agency has been of the potential impact on airports of the (a) surcharge on business hereditaments above £500,000 Rateable Value from 2026-27 and (b) 2026 rates revaluation.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) conducts analysis of changes in rateable value to prepare for regular revaluations. The VOA is currently working on a revaluation of all non-domestic properties, which will come into effect on 1 April 2026. The revaluation is not yet complete, and the VOA expect to publish draft valuations by the end of 2025. For the upcoming 2026 revaluation, as with other revaluations, the VOA is receiving ongoing representations from the airport sector. As set out at Budget, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000 from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on all properties with a rateable value (RV) of £500,000 and above. The Government will confirm the rates for the new multipliers at Budget 2025, taking account of the outcomes of the 2026 revaluation as well as the broader economic and fiscal context. Tax policy and legislation is not subject to the Better Regulation Framework Guidance which requires an Impact Assessment to accompany policy decisions. Nevertheless, when the new multipliers are set at Budget 2025, the Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of council tax on Real Household Disposable Income per person.

Local authorities are responsible for deciding the level of council tax, and as such the government has not undertaken such an assessment of impact on disposable income.

What changes have been made to the valuation of airports for business rates in the last 24 months; and what representations her Department has received on that issue in that period.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) conducts analysis of changes in rateable value to prepare for regular revaluations. The VOA is currently working on a revaluation of all non-domestic properties, which will come into effect on 1 April 2026. The revaluation is not yet complete, and the VOA expect to publish draft valuations by the end of 2025. For the upcoming 2026 revaluation, as with other revaluations, the VOA is receiving ongoing representations from the airport sector. As set out at Budget, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000 from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on all properties with a rateable value (RV) of £500,000 and above. The Government will confirm the rates for the new multipliers at Budget 2025, taking account of the outcomes of the 2026 revaluation as well as the broader economic and fiscal context. Tax policy and legislation is not subject to the Better Regulation Framework Guidance which requires an Impact Assessment to accompany policy decisions. Nevertheless, when the new multipliers are set at Budget 2025, the Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

What plans she has to continue the 2024 to 2034 film studio business rate relief announced in March 2024 at the rate announced at that time.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced that it intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000, from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on all properties, including film studios, with a rateable value (RV) of £500,000 and above. The Government has announced that it is proceeding with 40 per cent relief for eligible film studios in England on their gross business rates bills until March 2034. The costing was published at Spring Budget 2024 - . Business rates bills are calculated by applying the relevant multiplier first and so film studios will receive 40 per cent relief on their total liability. The Government will confirm the rates for the new multipliers at Budget 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 25 of the document entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, CP1210, which National Policy Statements she expects to update by next summer.

Consenting departments are working closely with MHCLG and Treasury to explore which National Policy Statements can be updated.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment Homes England has made of the viability of delivering the Government’s 1.5 million housebuilding target in this Parliament.

The government’s Plan for Change milestone of building 1.5 million new homes in this Parliament is hugely ambitious but achievable.

What the forecast gross cost is of film studio business rate relief in (a) 2024-25, (b) 2025-26 and (c) 2026-27.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced that it intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000, from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on all properties, including film studios, with a rateable value (RV) of £500,000 and above. The Government has announced that it is proceeding with 40 per cent relief for eligible film studios in England on their gross business rates bills until March 2034. The costing was published at Spring Budget 2024 - . Business rates bills are calculated by applying the relevant multiplier first and so film studios will receive 40 per cent relief on their total liability. The Government will confirm the rates for the new multipliers at Budget 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 24 of the document entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, CP1210, what her target is for the number of net additional dwellings that need to be delivered in each year to meet the 1.5 million homes target by the end of this Parliament.

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 19066 on 20 December 2024.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 29 November 2024 to Question 15447, on Empty Property and Second Homes: Council Tax, what steps he plans to take if a local authority does not meet the requirement in guidance to advertise in at least one local newspaper; and whether failure to advertise would make the scheme invalid.

Councils have a duty to set their determinations in line with the government’s regulations. As the government has set out in the guidance, a council’s determination to charge the premium will not be invalidated where they do not publish this notice.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 December 2024 to Question 16892 on Regional Planning and Development: Finance, what her Department's policy is on the (a) Oxford to Cambridge Pan-Regional Partnership and (b) coordination of planning across the OxCam Arc.

At Autumn Budget, the government announced its intention to end core funding for all Pan-Regional Partnerships and consult on the impacts of this decision, if it were taken forward. This public consultation is now live and accessible on Gov.uk and Government will consider all responses received by the deadline of Monday 16 December.The Government was clear in its manifesto that housing need in England cannot be met without planning for growth on a larger than local scale, and that it will be necessary to introduce effective new mechanisms for cross-boundary strategic planning. We are committed to a universal strategic planning system to meet housing needs, deliver infrastructure, grow the economy, improve the environment and climate resilience. Legislation will be introduced in 2025, based on London's Spatial Development Strategy.

Communities and Local Government, whether (a) her Department and (b) its agencies have had recent discussions with representatives of INTERREG on INTERREG programmes.

MHCLG officials continue to work with 2014-20 INTERREG programmes as required to support the delivery and closure of INTERREG programmes, following the terms established in the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 28 November 2024 on Local Government Finance, HCWS265, what the (a) estimated and (b) assumed level in council tax receipts is in absolute terms in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26 on which the settlement is based.

It is for local authorities to decide at what level they set their council tax. The government will maintain the previous government’s policy of a 3% core council tax referendum principle and the 2% principle for the adult social care precept, in line with OBR forecasting. The full set of proposed referendum principles is set out in the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement.Based on these referendum principles, the assumed council tax requirement for Core Spending Power in 2024-25 is £36.2 billion. In 2025-26 it is £38.3 billion. These figures exclude parish precepts, police and fire authorities.

Whether the higher business rate surcharge on hereditaments above £500,000 Rateable Value will apply to film studios; and how this change will interact with film studio rate relief.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced that it intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000, from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on all properties, including film studios, with a rateable value (RV) of £500,000 and above. The Government has announced that it is proceeding with 40 per cent relief for eligible film studios in England on their gross business rates bills until March 2034. The costing was published at Spring Budget 2024 - . Business rates bills are calculated by applying the relevant multiplier first and so film studios will receive 40 per cent relief on their total liability. The Government will confirm the rates for the new multipliers at Budget 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department issues on whether embassies are subject to planning enforcement decisions by (a) local authorities and (b) the courts.

Embassies are required to apply for planning permission for development proposals, including those within the curtilage of their land, similar to other properties. They are expected to comply with the same planning regulations as other entities. Enforcement powers are available at the discretion of the relevant local planning authority.

Communities and Local Government, whether embassies are required to apply for planning permission for development within the curtilage of their land; and whether the Government has issued guidance for embassies on planning law.

Embassies are required to apply for planning permission for development proposals, including those within the curtilage of their land, similar to other properties. They are expected to comply with the same planning regulations as other entities. Enforcement powers are available at the discretion of the relevant local planning authority.

Whether she plans to maintain small business rate relief from 2026-27.

Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) provides 100% rate relief for eligible properties with rateable values below £12,000 with tapered relief available for eligible properties with rateable values between £12,000 and £15,000. Further details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-business-rate-relief/small-business-rate-relief The government has no plans to withdraw SBRR. The discussion paper on business rates, published at Autumn Budget 2024, invites views on how it might best create a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. The discussion paper invites views on incentivising investment and growth and specifically invites views on potential ways in which SBRR might be improved. The discussion paper is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/675197b95692dd4c0c8d1dac/Transforming_Business_Rates__2_.pdf Any decisions on future tax policy will be announced by the Chancellor at a fiscal event.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to (a) amend and (b) repeal assimilated EU law on the Habitats Directive on (i) newts and (ii) other protected species.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. As the Prime Minister said in his speech on 5 December the Government will streamline development processes to meet new and ambitious targets to build 1.5 million homes and advance 150 major infrastructure projects. The Government will also use the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to establish a more efficient and effective way for obligations related to our most important sites and species to be discharged at a scale that has the greatest environmental benefits. The Government has committed to only act in legislation where we can confirm to Parliament that the steps we are taking will deliver positive environmental outcomes. Necessary amendments may be made to assimilated EU law on the Habitats Directive to secure the operability of the proposed new approach.