Written questions by Jogee.

Communities and Local Government, how many a) letters, b) emails and c) written communications were received by his Department from Newcastle-under-Lyme District Borough Council between i) December 2019 and July 2024 and ii) July 2024 and May 2026.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what support he can provide Newcastle-under-Lyme District Borough Council in the development of a market strategy.

Markets make an important economic and social contribution to our high streets and towns. They help to grow their local economy, providing opportunities for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses, as well as social engagement and inclusion. Local authorities are empowered to make decisions on running, supporting and investing in local markets in their areas. This government is also committed to extending devolution in England, as set out in the English Devolution White Paper, and strategic authorities will be empowered to drive economic development and regeneration in local areas. In due course we will publish our High Streets Strategy, backed by £301 million of support, to help turn the tide on the high streets most in need.

Communities and Local Government, what specific support he plans to provide market towns like Newcastle in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.

Markets make an important economic and social contribution to our high streets and towns. They help to grow their local economy, providing opportunities for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses, as well as social engagement and inclusion. Local authorities are empowered to make decisions on running, supporting and investing in local markets in their areas. This government is also committed to extending devolution in England, as set out in the English Devolution White Paper, and strategic authorities will be empowered to drive economic development and regeneration in local areas. In due course we will publish our High Streets Strategy, backed by £301 million of support, to help turn the tide on the high streets most in need.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the impact of there being no approved Local Plan in Newcastle-under-Lyme on people living, learning and working in that area.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what support he can provide Newcastle-under-Lyme District Borough Council in the development of a market strategy.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Communities and Local Government, what specific support he plans to provide market towns like Newcastle in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Communities and Local Government, further to the answer of 20 April 2026 to WPQ 126191, what guidance will be issued to local authorities, including Newcastle-under-Lyme District Borough Council, to ensure the preservation of Green Belts in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme b) Staffordshire and c) England.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 94093 on 1 December 2025 and UIN 103333 on 14 January 2026.

Communities and Local Government, whether he can provide an update on the a) effectiveness and b) adequacy of Department's 'brownfield' first approach to development.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements, including the development of under-utilised land and buildings to meet the need for homes and other uses. Through the revisions we made to the NPPF on 12 December 2024, we broadened the definition of brownfield land, set a strengthened expectation that applications on brownfield land will be approved, and made clear that plans should promote an uplift in density in urban areas. The definition in question can be found in the NPPF glossary on gov.uk here. Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new NPPF. The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included a range of proposals to further strengthen support for brownfield development. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course. We have also announced £5 billion of land and infrastructure capital grant funding. This funding, to be administered by a new, single National Housing Delivery Fund that will complement investment from our National Housing Bank, can be used to address viability gaps on brownfield sites. It nevertheless remains the case that there are simply not enough sites on brownfield land registers to deliver the volume of homes that the country needs each year and Green Belt land will consequently need to be released for development where individual local planning authorities determine that exceptional circumstances exist and have first demonstrated that they have examined fully all other reasonable options for meeting identified need for development – including making as much use as possible of suitable brownfield sites and underutilised land, optimising the density of development, and working with neighbouring authorities to assess whether identified need might be sensibly accommodated.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support colleges and further education institutions applying for planning permission to expand their sites.

There is an existing Permitted Development Right – Part 7 of Class M of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 – which allows colleges and universities to erect new buildings, extensions and make alterations without the submission of a planning application. The right is subject to limits and conditions to control local impacts. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that local planning authorities should take a proactive, positive, and collaborative approach to ensuring that a sufficient choice of post-16 places are available to meet the needs of existing and new communities. Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to education facilities. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what recent steps he has taken to protect the Green Belt in Staffordshire.

The government is committed to preserving Green Belts, which have served England’s towns and cities well over many decades. We have not changed the five purposes of the Green Belt set out in paragraph 143 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The Framework still contains strong protections for the Green Belt, making it clear that inappropriate development should not be approved unless justified by very special circumstances.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with cabinet colleagues to improve the a) safety and b) provision of playgrounds for young people in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Local authorities work locally to support adults and children to lead more active lives through access to nature, parks, and play spaces. We are investing in local government. The Spending Review 2025 provides over £5 billion of new grant funding over the next three years for local services that communities rely on. This includes £3.4 billion of new grant funding which will be delivered through the Settlement for 2026-27 to 2028-29.Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to the provision of play space. The government has recently published a draft update to national design guidance, which emphasises that development proposals should maximise the potential for play in the layout, form and appearance of development. In terms of safety, owners and operators of playgrounds are required to comply with existing legal requirements as applicable.Government also owns the Green Flag Award scheme, which helps to increase access to quality green spaces and parks; sets the standard for those spaces to meet the needs of the communities they serve and has helped to transform thousands of spaces across the country. This includes many parks across Newcastle-under-Lyme, such as Bathpool Park, Brampton Park and Lyme Valley Park.

Communities and Local Government, if he will remove the right to vote from Irish passport holders in elections in the United Kingdom.

The government has no plans to change the existing voting rights of Irish citizens or Commonwealth citizens.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to remove the right to vote from Commonwealth citizens in elections in the United Kingdom.

The government has no plans to change the existing voting rights of Irish citizens or Commonwealth citizens.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of a) local, b) regional and c) general elections being held on a Saturday on voter turnout.

The Government has not made any recent assessment of the impact of moving polling day to a Saturday on voter turnout. The Government is committed to increasing democratic participation, as set out in its manifesto. As part of this work, we are preparing to pilot a range of flexible voting options at this May’s local elections, including opportunities for electors to cast their vote over the weekend alongside the traditional polling day. These pilots are designed to build a fuller understanding of how giving people greater choice in when and where they vote can support wider participation and strengthen the overall voting experience.

Communities and Local Government, what support his Department is providing to the Iranian community in the United Kingdom.

The Secretary of State, Ministers and officials are regularly engaging with faith, community and diaspora leaders as well as with local authorities who have Iranian constituents, providing an opportunity for the Iranian community to share how they are feeling, their concerns and any support needs. Further engagement with organisations supporting the Iranian community are being agreed. We are aware that many in the Iranian diaspora in the UK are vocal in calling out the Iranian regime's unacceptable human rights record. We have been consistent in highlighting this record on the world stage and directly with the Iranian government. We continue to engage Iranian human rights experts in the UK.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to support a) Christian, b) Muslim and c) Jewish communities in i) Newcastle-under-Lyme and ii) Staffordshire; and if he will visit Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The government offers many sources of support to faith and belief groups.MHCLG has allocated £515,000 this year to fund the Near Neighbours programme in England, run by the Church Urban Fund, which connects diverse communities to build trust and collaborate on local projects.The government recognises the role and value of religious heritage buildings and the new £92 million Places of Worship Renewal Fund will bring support for these important buildings into line with other heritage assets.For security support, all faith communities can access the Home Office’s free Faith Security Training scheme, developed with police and faith leaders to strengthen security awareness and preparedness in England and Wales. The Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme will receive an additional £1.5 million, raising funding to £5 million for Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and other non-Jewish or Muslim faith sites.To support Muslim communities specifically, the government funds the British Muslim Trust to monitor anti-Muslim hatred and support victims. In 2026/27, up to £40 million will be available through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme for mosques, Muslim schools, and community centres.To support Jewish communities specifically, on 17 December 2025 the Government published a paper setting out recent actions to combat antisemitism. Further information is available here. In addition, up to £28.4 million will be available in 2026/27 through the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant, which is managed by the Community Security Trust (CST), for security measures at synagogues, Jewish schools and community centres.The Common Ground Resilience Fund is granting more than £3 million to support social cohesion and resilience in England. This includes the Common Ground Award which provides capital for infrastructure and equipment, and is open to voluntary groups and community organisations, including faith-based groups.The Secretary of State engages with communities across the country through a range of ministerial activity, including visits and meetings with local representatives.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that a brownfield first approach does not lead to loss of green open spaces in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements to meet the need for homes and other uses. The revised Framework published on 12 December 2024 broadened the definition of brownfield land, set a strengthened expectation that applications on brownfield land will be approved, and made clear that plans should promote an uplift in density in urban areas. The definition in question can be found in the NPPF glossary on gov.uk here. The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation includes proposals relating to the provision of new or improved open space. For further details about the proposed changes to national planning policy and wider funding and support, I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 16 December 2025 (HCWS1187). The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, if he will meet the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme to discuss the work of Parish Councils in that constituency.

The government values the important work of town and parish councils in representing their communities and delivering local services.I would be happy to meet the honourable member for Newcastle-under-Lyme to discuss the work of parish councils in that constituency.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to promote community cohesion in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire.

MHCLG’s Community Cohesion Unit supports and promotes cohesion across England by working closely with local authorities, voluntary and community sector and faith organisations, and other government departments.Following the disorder in summer 2024, several areas in Staffordshire have received sustained support. In Stoke-on-Trent, MHCLG has supported a multi-agency partnership approach to strengthen cohesion and resilience, aligned with the development of the city’s cohesion strategy. This brings together statutory and community partners to address integration, cohesion and tensions monitoring. Two areas, Bentilee and Ubberley, and Meir North, have each been awarded Pride in Place Programme funding, with £20 million invested over ten years to deliver long-term, preventative improvements to community cohesion.In Tamworth, MHCLG supported the Borough Council following unrest in summer 2024, addressing immediate challenges and strengthening longer-term cohesion capability through initiatives such as the ‘We Are Tamworth’ programme. Glascote Heath has also been allocated Pride in Place funding.Nationally, MHCLG is coordinating cross-government work on a longer-term approach to social cohesion. Protecting What Matters, published on 9 March 2026, sets out HMG’s vision to build stronger, more cohesive communities through sustained investment, improved integration, strengthened English language provision, and robust action against hate and extremism.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Building Safety Regulator.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a range of duties, including facilitating safety in higher-risk buildings (HRBs), keeping the safety and standards of all buildings under review and facilitating improvement in competence across industry.The introduction of the BSR in 2023 has led to demonstrable improvements in the safety of the buildings it is responsible for. HRBs are now subject to more stringent scrutiny at both design and construction stages. The planning gateway process embeds fire and structural safety requirements at the earliest stages of design and construction.The BSR has faced challenges implementing a significant shift in building safety regulation and recognises the impact of delays on the pipeline of new HRBs. In June, MHCLG announced a new phase for the BSR, including strengthened leadership, steps to address operational challenges, and plans for a new body for the BSR.BSR performance continues to improve. Significant numbers of new build applications have been cleared, and new operating models are delivering dramatically reduced processing times. To support transparency and accountability, the BSR published performance data on 23 December 2025 and will continue to do so monthly.Establishing a standalone body for the BSR will provide a singular focus for the new leadership to tackle this complex area of regulation. Work is underway to establish the new body through a Statutory Instrument which confirms the establishment date as 27 January 2026. We will work closely with the BSR to ensure a smooth transition from the Health and Safety Executive.