Written questions by Hollinrake.

Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for the Planning Inspectorate's inquiry into the Chinese Embassy planning application; and what the target date is for (a) the inspector’s report to be submitted and (b) a final decision to be made.

An appointed Inspector is set to open a public inquiry in February 2025 which will hear a range of evidence for and against the proposals. After the close of the inquiry, the Inspector’s report and recommendation will be sent to the Department. The Secretary of State will have a target date of 13 weeks from receipt of the report to make her decision.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer of 6 December 2024, to Question HL2740 on English Language: Education, what steps the her Department is taking to help promote English language proficiency in the context of integration and community cohesion.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN HL2739 on 4 December 2024.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has issued guidance to local authorities on publicly disclosing the (a) names and (b) addresses of those who submit representations on planning applications.

There is no requirement for local authorities to publish representations received on planning applications, but many do so to give transparency to the decision-making process. Where local authorities choose to publish representations they must comply with data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulations, which means they cannot publish personal details without consent.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 November 2024 to Question 12772, if she will publish details of (a) discussions and (b) other meetings between officials and Hope Not Hate since 5 July 2024.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer to Question UIN 12772 on 15 November 2024. The department has no plans to publish further details.

Communities and Local Government, what the deadline is for submitting representations to the planning application for the proposed Chinese Embassy in Tower Hamlets; and if she will make it her policy to ensure that (a) each representation and (b) information on whether each representation is from a resident in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets is published on the Planning Inspectorate website.

The deadline for submitting written representations in relation to this planning application was 2 December 2024. This is consistent with the timetabling arrangements set out in the Planning Inspectorate’s called-in planning applications: procedural guide which can be found on gov.uk here. The Planning Inspectorate does not publish representations received on its website. However, all representations will be taken into account before the application is decided.

Whether her Department has a working definition of Islamism.

In the context relevant to the Home Office’s responsibility for tackling Islamist extremism or terrorism the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy CONTEST says that Islamist terrorism is the threat or use of violence as a means to establish a strict interpretation of an Islamic society.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2024 to Question 16140 on Nightclubs: Closures, what steps his Department plans to take to measure the effectiveness of the five point plan for high streets.

Kickstarting economic growth is the number one mission for this government and thriving high streets are essential to supporting this. We have launched a new package to tackle late payments, backing small businesses and the self-employed, alongside measures to tackle retail crime and address the disproportionate business rates burden faced by high street businesses. The 100th banking hub has just been opened in Darwen, Lancashire, and High Street Rental Auctions, a new permissive power for local authorities to auction rental rights of commercial high street property that has been vacant for longer than 12 months in a 24-month period, came into effect on 2 December 2024. However, there is more to be done, and we are working across Whitehall to deliver a cross-government approach for revitalising high streets. We will set out more information in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether embassies are subject to planning enforcement decisions.

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.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the number of nightclub closures in the UK since 2020.

The government recognises the vital role night-time economy business plays in supporting local economies and our communities. Healthy night-time economy businesses play a key role in supporting our creative industries, including musicians, DJs and performance artists, as well as supporting tourism and strengthening day economy businesses.The government is creating a fairer business rate system and has extended RHL relief at 40% for 2025-26. Beyond this, the government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties from 2026-27. This reform, on which a Discussion Paper was published at Autumn Budget 2024, will provide certainty for businesses regarding their bills. The government is also reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support businesses including in the nighttime economy.Following the Autumn Budget, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has confirmed it will continue to support Arts Council England’s (ACE’s) successful Supporting Grassroots Music Fund which provides grants to grassroots music organisations - including those that host or promote electronic music – such as venues, rehearsal and recording studios, promoters and festivals. ACE continues to engage with industry through targeted webinars and events to promote the Fund to the club sector and encourage applications.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 December 2024 to Question 16746 on Devolution: East of England, if she will make it her policy to ensure that the Devolution White Paper follows the principles of (a) subsidiarity and (b) double devolution when determining which level to devolve power and responsibility.

We are committed to putting the right powers at the right levels, in line with the principle of subsidiarity, and this has informed development of the devolution framework.That is why Strategic Authorities (SAs) will focus on issues like strategic planning, adult education and local growth plans which require strategic oversight of the entire region.Local authorities will continue to shape their places and deliver the critical local public services residents rely on, and we are ending the destructive Whitehall knows best mindset that drives micromanagement by working to remove the need for Secretaries of State to sign-off on councils’ use of their powers.We will also empower communities with new rights and levers to influence their neighbourhoods, while protecting cherished community assets and high streets.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 December 2024 to Question 17009 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, whether (a) the Prime Minister and (b) 10 Downing Street had discussions with (i) her and (ii) her Department on the proposed Chinese Embassy before her decision to call in the planning application.

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 17009 on 6 December 2024.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 3.35 of Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, in which financial years will the additional funding for the training and recruitment of planning officers be allocated; and whether that funding will be baselined into the Local Government Finance Settlement in future years.

At the Budget, the Chanceller announced a £46 million package of investment into the planning system as a one-year settlement for 2025-2026. A proportion of this funding will be used to support capacity and capability in local planning authorities, including the recruitment and training of 300 graduate and apprentice planners and developing the skills needed to implement reforms and unlock housing delivery.As part of the government’s commitment to simplify the local government funding landscape, we intend to significantly reduce the number of housing, planning, resettlement, and numerous other smaller grants owned by MHCLG – rolling them into the Local Government Finance Settlement wherever possible. More detailed proposals for simplification will be announced in due course.More broadly, the Department’s established Planning Capacity and Capability programme is also developing a wider programme of support, working with partners across the planning sector, to ensure that local planning authorities have the skills and capacity they need, both now and in the future, to modernise local plans and speed up decision making, including through innovative use of digital planning data and software.The government has also recently consulted on increasing planning fees. This will support local planning authorities in the longer-term by putting them on a more sustainable financial footing.

Communities and Local Government, what the monthly amount payable to hosts under the Homes to Ukraine scheme will be in (a) 2024-25, (b) 2025-26 and (c) 2026-27.

Applications will open on the 4 February 2025 for eligible Ukraine scheme visa holders to apply for further permission to remain in the UK for an additional 18 months under the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme.The department has recently confirmed that to support guests still in sponsorship under UPE and to thank sponsors for their continued generosity, thank you payments for eligible sponsors will be extended for 18 months under the new scheme where guests were previously on a Homes for Ukraine visa.Sponsors will continue to be eligible for thank you payments for the full duration of a Homes for Ukraine guest’s 18 month UPE visa period if they remain in sponsorship, but no further.To fund this support and ensure it is affordable within government budgets, from 1 April 2025, all thank you payments will be paid at a flat rate of £350 per month for all sponsors of guests on Homes for Ukraine and UPE visas, regardless of how long guests have been in the UK.To support this transition, we are signposting sponsors to the Government’s ‘rent a room’ scheme for those who wish to convert their lodging arrangements with their sponsors. If sponsors move to an arrangement where they charge rent, they will no longer be eligible for thank you payments.The department also confirmed that we are maintaining the existing local authority tariff arrangements of £5,900 (£10,500 for eligible minors) per Homes for Ukraine arrival. This should support local authorities with ongoing administration of the scheme and allow local authorities to continue supporting guests to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 16179 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Public Appointments, when she plans to deposit the correspondence in the Library of the House.

A copy of the letter has been deposited in the Library of the House and can be found at the following link: Deposited paper DEP2024-0794 - Deposited papers - UK Parliament.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement entitled Local Government Finance of 28 November 2024, Official Report, HCWS265, how she plans to manage the debts of councils subject to Section 114 notice following the proposed reorganisation of local government.

The decision to issue a Section 114 notice is for a council’s section 151 officer and government has no role in the process.Under the previous government, the then Secretary of State used statutory powers to intervene in a small number of councils failing their Best Value Duty partly associated with high levels of unsustainable debt. Government is engaging closely with Best Value Commissioners and Panel Members to understand these councils’ plans to return to a sustainable position. The Government has confirmed that there will be a framework in place to support councils in the most difficult positions.The English Devolution White Paper published on 16 December announced that the Government will facilitate 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.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's notification entitled Update on Homes for Ukraine Thank You payments and the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, published on 6 December 2024, whether her Department has made changes to the level of (a) funding, (b) thank you payments for hosts and (b) other support for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme since 5 July 2024.

Applications will open on the 4 February 2025 for eligible Ukraine scheme visa holders to apply for further permission to remain in the UK for an additional 18 months under the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme.The department has recently confirmed that to support guests still in sponsorship under UPE and to thank sponsors for their continued generosity, thank you payments for eligible sponsors will be extended for 18 months under the new scheme where guests were previously on a Homes for Ukraine visa.Sponsors will continue to be eligible for thank you payments for the full duration of a Homes for Ukraine guest’s 18 month UPE visa period if they remain in sponsorship, but no further.To fund this support and ensure it is affordable within government budgets, from 1 April 2025, all thank you payments will be paid at a flat rate of £350 per month for all sponsors of guests on Homes for Ukraine and UPE visas, regardless of how long guests have been in the UK.To support this transition, we are signposting sponsors to the Government’s ‘rent a room’ scheme for those who wish to convert their lodging arrangements with their sponsors. If sponsors move to an arrangement where they charge rent, they will no longer be eligible for thank you payments.The department also confirmed that we are maintaining the existing local authority tariff arrangements of £5,900 (£10,500 for eligible minors) per Homes for Ukraine arrival. This should support local authorities with ongoing administration of the scheme and allow local authorities to continue supporting guests to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking with the Council for the Nations and Regions to support the (a) English national identity and (b) interests of England.

The Council of the Nations and Regions brings together the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, and the Mayors of Combined Authorities and County Combined Authorities in England.As Government delivers on its devolution agenda, more English regions will be covered by Mayors and have the opportunity to have their identities and interests represented at the Council of the Nations and Regions.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of potential risks to investment returns from the proposed Local Government Pension Scheme reforms.

The Government is currently consulting on proposals to strengthen asset pooling in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) England and Wales. Asset pooling boosts the resilience and performance of investments by enabling administering authorities to diversify their portfolios across a wider range of asset classes, and to manage their assets more efficiently and at reduced risk. The consultation also makes proposals to ensure consistently high standards of governance across the scheme.LGPS members’ pension and benefits are guaranteed in statute and are not affected by the performance of investments, or by any other aspect of the Pensions Review.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 29 November 2024 to Question 15206 on Leasehold Forfeiture, whether she plans to introduce backstop measures to ensure compliance with lease agreements.

I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).

What steps he is taking to help reduce the number of nightclub closures.

We recognise the important role night-time economy business plays in supporting local economies and communities. Healthy night-time economy businesses not only support our creative industries, including musicians, DJs and performance artists, but also support tourism and bolster day economy businesses. The Government is creating a fairer business rate system, reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities. All of these measures have been consistently demanded by the sector. This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper next year.