Written questions by Pochin.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2026 to Question 103696 on Islamophobia, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that any proposed non statutory definition of (a) anti Muslim hatred and (b) Islamophobia is compatible with existing hate crime legislation.

The independent anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia definition working group submitted their findings for Ministers to consider. As we have made clear, Government will consider this advice in a way that protects our fundamental right to free speech. Any definition would be non-statutory and compatible with relevant legislative frameworks, and Government will confirm next steps in due course.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2026 to Question 103696, whether his Department intends to issue guidance to public authorities on the application of any proposed non statutory definition of (a) anti Muslim hatred and (b) Islamophobia.

The independent anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia definition working group submitted their findings for Ministers to consider. As we have made clear, Government will consider this advice in a way that protects our fundamental right to free speech. Any definition would be non-statutory and compatible with relevant legislative frameworks, and Government will confirm next steps in due course.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2026 to Question 103696, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications of any proposed definition for the consistent treatment of discrimination or hatred relating to other religions or belief groups.

The independent anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia definition working group submitted their findings for Ministers to consider. As we have made clear, Government will consider this advice in a way that protects our fundamental right to free speech. Any definition would be non-statutory and compatible with relevant legislative frameworks, and Government will confirm next steps in due course.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2026 to Question 103696, whether his Department has assessed the compatibility of a proposed Islamophobia definition with existing statutory protections for free speech.

The independent anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia definition working group submitted their findings for Ministers to consider. As we have made clear, Government will consider this advice in a way that protects our fundamental right to free speech. Any definition would be non-statutory and compatible with relevant legislative frameworks, and Government will confirm next steps in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of completed housing developments in England where roads remain unadopted for more than three years after first occupation; and what steps he is taking to improve levels of adoption.

My Department does not hold the requested data. I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 18 December 2025 (HCWS1210).

Communities and Local Government, whether Homes England plans to include (a) mandatory road adoption provisions and (b) time limits for entering into Section 38 agreements within future land-disposal contracts with developers.

Decisions on whether to adopt roads are matters for the relevant local highway authority. When disposing of land, Homes England does not currently require the mandatory adoption of roads. The adoption of roads under s38 of the Highways Act 1980 is reliant on negotiations between the relevant developer and local highways authority. Homes England has no direct role in the process. I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 18 December 2025 (HCWS1210).

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has considered requiring developers to enter into a Section 38 agreement before selling properties on new-build estates.

Decisions on whether to adopt roads are matters for the relevant local highway authority. When disposing of land, Homes England does not currently require the mandatory adoption of roads. The adoption of roads under s38 of the Highways Act 1980 is reliant on negotiations between the relevant developer and local highways authority. Homes England has no direct role in the process. I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 18 December 2025 (HCWS1210).

Communities and Local Government, whether Sport England will remain as a statutory consultee on planning applications involving playing fields.

I refer the hon. Members to the answer given to Question UIN 103087 on 13 January 2026.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has assessed the compatibility of a proposed Islamophobia definition with hate crime legislation.

All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, and this Government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. The Government established an independent working group to advise on a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia, including on how to best understand, quantify and define prejudice, discrimination, and hate crime targeted against Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim. The Working Group have now submitted their advice to ministers for consideration.The working group have engaged widely to ensure the advice given to the Government reflects the diverse perspectives and implications for different groups. To strengthen engagement, the Working Group launched a Call for Evidence on 20 July 2025. It was open to the public, and any individual or organisation, including Hindu community groups, were able to submit advice.The Working Group operated according to its established terms of reference, which stated that any definition must be compatible with free speech and the right to criticise religions and religious practices. The Government will consider their advice in view of this.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has conducted an equality impact assessment relating to the effect of an Islamophobia definition on religious minorities other than Muslims.

All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, and this Government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. The Government established an independent working group to advise on a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia, including on how to best understand, quantify and define prejudice, discrimination, and hate crime targeted against Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim. The Working Group have now submitted their advice to ministers for consideration.The working group have engaged widely to ensure the advice given to the Government reflects the diverse perspectives and implications for different groups. To strengthen engagement, the Working Group launched a Call for Evidence on 20 July 2025. It was open to the public, and any individual or organisation, including Hindu community groups, were able to submit advice.The Working Group operated according to its established terms of reference, which stated that any definition must be compatible with free speech and the right to criticise religions and religious practices. The Government will consider their advice in view of this.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of an Islamophobia definition on the ability to scrutinise religious ideology or practice.

All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, and this Government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. The Government established an independent working group to advise on a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia, including on how to best understand, quantify and define prejudice, discrimination, and hate crime targeted against Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim. The Working Group have now submitted their advice to ministers for consideration.The working group have engaged widely to ensure the advice given to the Government reflects the diverse perspectives and implications for different groups. To strengthen engagement, the Working Group launched a Call for Evidence on 20 July 2025. It was open to the public, and any individual or organisation, including Hindu community groups, were able to submit advice.The Working Group operated according to its established terms of reference, which stated that any definition must be compatible with free speech and the right to criticise religions and religious practices. The Government will consider their advice in view of this.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has received representations from Hindu community groups on the potential impact of an Islamophobia definition on freedom of expression.

All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, and this Government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. The Government established an independent working group to advise on a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia, including on how to best understand, quantify and define prejudice, discrimination, and hate crime targeted against Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim. The Working Group have now submitted their advice to ministers for consideration.The working group have engaged widely to ensure the advice given to the Government reflects the diverse perspectives and implications for different groups. To strengthen engagement, the Working Group launched a Call for Evidence on 20 July 2025. It was open to the public, and any individual or organisation, including Hindu community groups, were able to submit advice.The Working Group operated according to its established terms of reference, which stated that any definition must be compatible with free speech and the right to criticise religions and religious practices. The Government will consider their advice in view of this.

Communities and Local Government, which organisations and representative groups were consulted by his Department prior to consideration of an Islamophobia definition.

All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, and this Government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. The Government established an independent working group to advise on a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia, including on how to best understand, quantify and define prejudice, discrimination, and hate crime targeted against Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim. The Working Group have now submitted their advice to ministers for consideration.The working group have engaged widely to ensure the advice given to the Government reflects the diverse perspectives and implications for different groups. To strengthen engagement, the Working Group launched a Call for Evidence on 20 July 2025. It was open to the public, and any individual or organisation, including Hindu community groups, were able to submit advice.The Working Group operated according to its established terms of reference, which stated that any definition must be compatible with free speech and the right to criticise religions and religious practices. The Government will consider their advice in view of this.

Communities and Local Government, what engagement his Department has had with Hindu community organisations on the development and adoption of an Islamophobia definition.

All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, and this Government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. The Government established an independent working group to advise on a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia, including on how to best understand, quantify and define prejudice, discrimination, and hate crime targeted against Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim. The Working Group have now submitted their advice to ministers for consideration.The working group have engaged widely to ensure the advice given to the Government reflects the diverse perspectives and implications for different groups. To strengthen engagement, the Working Group launched a Call for Evidence on 20 July 2025. It was open to the public, and any individual or organisation, including Hindu community groups, were able to submit advice.The Working Group operated according to its established terms of reference, which stated that any definition must be compatible with free speech and the right to criticise religions and religious practices. The Government will consider their advice in view of this.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has issued guidance to local authorities on prioritisation between asylum seekers and local households for access to newly constructed council housing.

Newly built social rented homes are not being allocated to asylum seekers. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of allocating newly built council housing to asylum seekers on the availability of social housing for local residents on waiting lists.

Newly built social rented homes are not being allocated to asylum seekers. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.