Every parliamentary written question tabled by Rupert Lowe this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 81–100 of 115 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, when the next tranche of levelling up funding is due to be paid to coastal towns.
Monitoring Returns determine the amount councils are paid in relation to each Levelling Up Fund project, with the next payments due in late March.
Communities and Local Government, if she will provide a breakdown of sponsors of the Homes for Ukraine scheme by nationality.
We are very grateful for the continued generosity of sponsors in opening up their homes to support Homes for Ukraine guests.The department does not hold information on the nationality of sponsors. However, since 19 February 2024, Homes for Ukraine sponsors of new guests are required to be British or Irish citizens, or have settled status in the UK, on the date of the guest’s visa application.
Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with (a) local authority officers and (b) local authority elected representatives on the cancellation of local elections in Norfolk; and if she will publish those discussions.
The Secretary of State has not had discussions with these local authorities on the cancellation of local elections.
Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with (a) local authority officers and (b) local authority elected representatives on the cancellation of local elections in Suffolk; and if she will publish those discussions.
The Secretary of State has not had discussions with these local authorities on the cancellation of local elections.
Communities and Local Government, what information her Department holds on the (a) total amount of people who are exempted from paying council tax for religious reasons and (b) estimated total value of council tax exemptions for religious reasons in each local authority in the last financial year.
It is not true to say that individuals can be exempt from council tax for religious reasons. A dwelling may be exempt from council tax where it is unoccupied but is held for the purposes of being occupied by a minister, of any religious denomination, in order for them to perform their duties.Based on the latest available data 1,203 dwellings were in receipt of this exemption in England in 2024. The Government does not collect data on the council tax revenue foregone in providing this exemption.
Communities and Local Government, if she will publish the total cost to the public purse for the provision of diversity, equality and inclusion courses for staff in her Department in 2024.
The total cost of centrally-funded EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) courses for MHCLG from January to December 2024 was £47,272.The figure above covers costs relating to centrally-funded L&D activity where training includes the awareness of diversity, equality or inclusion as the main theme of the training.This response covers all centrally funded activity that meets this definition. We do not have a central record of any training covered by this definition that may have been undertaken more locally by business areas; this information could only be provided at a disproportionate cost to the department.
Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the cost to her Department of the proposed increase in employer National Insurance contributions for financial year 2025-26.
The Government will provide support for departments and other public sector employers for additional Employer National Insurance Contributions costs only. This funding will be allocated to departments in the usual way, in line with the approach taken under the previous Government’s Health and Social Care Levy.
Communities and Local Government, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that people entering the UK illegally can never vote in elections.
Only those foreign nationals who are eligible to vote and who have leave to enter or remain, or who do not require such leave, are entitled to register and vote in elections over which the UK Government and Parliament have responsibility.
Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to ensure that the Norfolk County Council elections take place on 1 May 2025.
As set out in my letter of 16 December to all councils in two-tier areas and neighbouring small unitaries, I will consider requests to postpone local elections where it is clear that postponement will help the area to deliver both reorganisation and devolution to the most ambitious timeframe. I am currently considering such a request from Norfolk County Council for their election scheduled in May 2025 to be postponed for one year. I will announce my decision on this request in due course, recognising the need to give confirmation as soon as practically possible.My letter and a list of local authorities who have made requests that involve postponing their election from 2025 to 2026 can be found here.
Communities and Local Government, when a final decision on elections to Norfolk County Council will be made.
As set out in my letter of 16 December to all councils in two-tier areas and neighbouring small unitaries, I will consider requests to postpone local elections where it is clear that postponement will help the area to deliver both reorganisation and devolution to the most ambitious timeframe. I am currently considering such a request from Norfolk County Council for their election scheduled in May 2025 to be postponed for one year. I will announce my decision on this request in due course, recognising the need to give confirmation as soon as practically possible.My letter and a list of local authorities who have made requests that involve postponing their election from 2025 to 2026 can be found here.
Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of encouraging council tax discounts for residents in authorities without elections on 1 May 2025 due to participation in the Devolution Priority Programme.
The assumption is that elections in most places where scheduled will take place as planned. Where I take a decision to postpone elections scheduled for May 2025, this will be where the councils concerned have requested it alongside a clear commitment to delivering both reorganisation and devolution to the most ambitious timeframe. This is a high bar to reach and it is not expected that all councils who have applied to be on the priority programme will go forward as a result.The terms of sitting councillors whose seats would otherwise have been up for election will be extended accordingly and they will remain in post, representing their community and taking decisions as members of their authority. Further, council services will continue as usual delivering hundreds of vital local public services every day. It is for councils to set the level of council tax in their area.
Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing an alternative title for county councillors who remain in office after 1 May 2025 due to their authority’s participation in the devolution priority programme.
There are no plans to provide an alternative title for county councillors whose authority participates in the devolution priority programme.
Communities and Local Government, what impact the Devolution Priority Programme will have on elections to Norfolk County Council.
As set out in my letter of 16 December to all councils in two-tier areas and neighbouring small unitaries, I will consider requests to postpone local elections where it is clear that postponement will help the area to deliver both reorganisation and devolution to the most ambitious timeframe. I am currently considering such a request from Norfolk County Council for their election scheduled in May 2025 to be postponed for one year. I will announce my decision on this request in due course, recognising the need to give confirmation as soon as practically possible.My letter and a list of local authorities who have made requests that involve postponing their election from 2025 to 2026 can be found here.
Communities and Local Government, how many and what proportion of officials in her Department were hired via positive action schemes in the last financial year.
All Civil Service departments work within the Recruitment Principles, as regulated by the Civil Service Commission, to recruit using a fair and open process and appoint on merit.Departments will only limit a campaign to a specific group as a form of posit...
Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to put proposed changes to the structure of local government in Norfolk to voters in that county.
The English Devolution White Paper sets out the Government’s plans for local government reorganisation, and that the Government will write to council leaders as soon as possible to formally invite proposals, setting out information on our criteria for sus...
Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the proportion of planned housing development that will be located within the green belt.
The amount of development that occurs in any given Green Belt will depend on local circumstances.The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December makes clear that before concluding that exceptional circumstances exist to justify cha...
Communities and Local Government, if she will have discussions with local authorities on increasing the level of consultation with local residents when calculating housing targets.
Following consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, the government has implemented a new mandatory standard method for assessing housing needs which aligns with our ambition to bui...
Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing restrictions on foreign (a) nationals and (b) companies purchasing new houses.
The government made clear in its manifesto that we would increase the non-resident Stamp Duty Land Tax surcharge by one percentage point.At the Budget, we decided to go further and instead increased the Higher Rate for Additional Dwellings by 2 percentage...
Communities and Local Government, if she will introduce legislation to prohibit non-resident foreigners from purchasing residential property in the UK.
The government made clear in its manifesto that we would increase the non-resident Stamp Duty Land Tax surcharge by one percentage point.At the Budget, we decided to go further and instead increased the Higher Rate for Additional Dwellings by 2 percentage...
Communities and Local Government, if she will (a) make an assessment of the adequacy of local infrastructure in Great Yarmouth constituency and (b) reassess the housing target for that constituency following that
Local development plans should address needs and opportunities in relation to infrastructure and identify what infrastructure is required and how it can be funded and brought forward, including in Great Yarmouth.When preparing a Local Plan, Planning Pract...