Written questions by Simmonds.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Working Group on Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia has had meetings with (a) MEND, (b) CAGE, (c) MCB and (d) Palestine Action; and whether that group plans to accept written representations from those bodies.

The Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Working Group has not met with any of the mentioned groups. The Working Group launched a Call for Evidence to build on the extensive consultation they’ve already undertaken which closed on Sunday 20 July. It was open to the public and any individual or organisation was welcome to submit evidence.Per the Terms of Reference for the Working Group, the Group is supported by a small secretariat function based within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, with Senior Civil Servant-level oversight provided in the usual manner.

Communities and Local Government, what the (a) expected and (b) average office attendance rate is in each of her Department's offices outside London.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government expects staff to work towards attending the office or other premises for official business for 60% of their working time. Some of our offices cannot currently accommodate this level of attendance and lower expectations are therefore in place.MHCLG publishes quarterly HQ Occupancy Statistics for its headquarters at 2 Marsham Street, London (not proportional attendance). We do not intend to publish individual office attendance information.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2025 to Question 66191 on Private Rented Housing: Rents, whether she has made an assessment of the reasons for those increases.

The factors affecting changes in rents are complex and difficult to disentangle. They include house prices, supply and demand, taxation policy, interest rates and the movement of tenants into homeownership or social rented housing. It is not possible to assess the specific impact of each of these factors.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2025 to Question 65809 on Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Working Group, what the (a) grade and (b) title is of the senior civil servant providing oversight of the working group.

The Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Working Group has not met with any of the mentioned groups. The Working Group launched a Call for Evidence to build on the extensive consultation they’ve already undertaken which closed on Sunday 20 July. It was open to the public and any individual or organisation was welcome to submit evidence.Per the Terms of Reference for the Working Group, the Group is supported by a small secretariat function based within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, with Senior Civil Servant-level oversight provided in the usual manner.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's guidance entitled Summary: Planning and Infrastructure Bill, Government Amendments to Part 3 (Lords Committee Stage), published on 17 July 2025, whether an impact assessment has been undertaken on those measures.

The amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill tabled on 17 July do not constitute a substantive change to the way the Nature Restoration Fund will operate and so a formal Impact Assessment is not necessary.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's transparency data entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, April 2025, published on 30 May 2025, what the research commissioned from the Greater London Authority on 22 April 2025 was.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 60469 on 20 June 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the guidance entitled Summary: Planning and Infrastructure Bill, Government Amendments to Part 3 (Lords Committee Stage), published on 17 July 2025, in what circumstances the mitigation measures would have to be (a) in place and (b) be completed before the substantive development is allowed to be (i) started and (ii) occupied.

Where a developer has been granted permission relying on the payment of the Nature Restoration Levy, Natural England will be responsible for securing the necessary conservation measures to outweigh the negative effects of the development.Natural England are being given the powers they need to deliver conservation measures at pace, to reduce any short-term impacts on the environment. There is no strict requirement to always have conservation measures in place in advance of impacts as there are instances when this could unnecessarily delay development and create liabilities for public finances.However, an Environmental Delivery Plan must however set out the anticipated sequencing of the implementation of the conservation measures by reference to the development to which the Environmental Delivery Plan applies.Ultimately, an Environmental Delivery Plan can only be put in place where the Secretary of State is satisfied the delivery of conservation measures will materially outweigh the negative effects of development by the plan’s end date.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the guidance entitled Openness and transparency on personal interests: guidance for councillors, published on 21 March 2013, what requirements councillors have to declare to their local authority any political donations made to (a) assist future election campaigns and (b) for political campaigning outside a regulated election period.

The ‘openness and transparency on personal interests: guidance for councillors’ is clear that a councillor’s disclosable pecuniary interests must be declared to their local authority. This is in line with requirements set out in regulations under the Localism Act 2011. The legislation and guidance are clear that a councillor in receipt of sponsorships must declare them. This would include any payment or provision of any other financial benefit, other than from their council or authority, made or provided in respect of any expenses incurred by a councillor carrying out duties as a member, or towards their election expenses.

Communities and Local Government, what information her Department holds on the number of dwellings with planning permission granted where construction has not begun in each London borough.

My Department does not collect data on the number of dwellings with planning consent that have not yet started construction. On 25 May, the government published a Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out (which can be found on gov.uk here) inviting views on further action the government should take to speed up homes being built. On the same day, we launched a technical consultation on implementing measures to improve the transparency of build rates from new residential development, which includes proposals to implement provisions in Section 113 of the LURA on the power to decline to determine applications. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the government intends bring forward the regulations to implement these measures at the earliest practical opportunity with the new build out reporting framework coming into force from 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what information her Department holds on the number of planning applications that have been granted by each local authority in each of the last 12 months.

The number of planning applications granted per quarter is published in the Department’s quarterly planning applications statistical release which can be found on gov.uk here.The number of planning applications granted by each local planning authority in the 12 months to 31 March 2025 for district matters is available in live table P134.

Communities and Local Government, if she will publish a response to the press release by PCS entitled PCS members at MHCLG escalate industrial action, published on 26 June 2025.

The department will not be publishing a direct response to the PCS communication published for their members. We continue to hope for a resolution and remain open to further discussions on the matters raised.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press release entitled Government calls last orders on red tape choking pubs, clubs and restaurants in major boost to the British night out, published on 4 April 2025, whether the London pilot will operate on a voluntary basis; and whether it will be piloted in London boroughs which do not support the proposals to transfer licensing powers.

In April, the government announced that it would work with the Greater London Authority to review strategic licensing powers and explore a pilot scheme, providing the Mayor of London with new powers over strategic licensing. My officials are working closely with the Greater London Authority to design a pilot to boost growth in London’s sporting, cultural and hospitality venues and revitalise London’s nightlife. Alongside this, the GLA is carrying out extensive consultation with key London partners including the Metropolitan Police, London councils and business groups. The London pilot will aim to unlock the full potential of London’s hospitality, cultural and night-time economies by exploring how the Mayor’s strategic oversight role can complement local licensing powers.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 19 June 2025 to Question 58771 on Local Government: Elections, whether she has made an estimate of the number of councils which will be subject to the transitional arrangements in 2026, and have their scheduled 2026 elections cancelled to make way for replacement elections; and in what year would the replacement elections take place.

Seven councils could have their elections replaced with elections to new unitary councils in May 2026. Surrey is the only area whose ambitious timetable is such that we will need Parliamentary approval by March 2026 to allow for elections to the new unitary authorities in May 2026 to enable new authorities to go live in April 2027.

Communities and Local Government, whether allotments are classified as (a) greenfield or (b) brownfield land for planning purposes.

The National Planning Policy Framework defines previously developed land (brownfield land) as land which is, or was, occupied by a permanent structure and any associated fixed surface infrastructure. However, the definition explicitly excludes land in built-up areas such as residential gardens, parks, recreation grounds and allotments. As such, allotments do not fall within the category of previously developed land and are therefore considered greenfield.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 12 June 2025 on Local Government Best Value, HCWS697, what discussions her Department has had with (a) councillors and (b) political assistants from Croydon on the best value intervention in that area since 4 July 2024.

All details of ministerial meetings with external bodies are published on gov.uk.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 12 June 2025 on Local Government Best Value, HCWS697, what discussions her Department has had with hon. Members from Croydon on the best value intervention in that area since 4 July 2024.

I hold regular meetings with honourable members in accordance with my Ministerial responsibilities.

Communities and Local Government, whether the new affordable housing programme will include (a) bringing empty homes back into use, (b) the acquisition of existing built properties and (c) traveller pitches.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 2 July (HCWS771).

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has issued recent guidance to local authorities on public right of access to privately-owned public spaces that are owned by (a) private companies and (b) local authorities through a private company.

My Department has not issued guidance in relation to this matter.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Letter to Chief Planning Officers of 24 May 2007, entitled Sensitive Information in applications for planning Permission and Listed Building Consent, whether information relating to the planning application for a Chinese Embassy at the former site of the Royal Mint was separately from the main planning register using the procedure set out in paragraphs 3 and 10 of that letter by the (a) London Borough of Tower Hamlets and (b) Planning Inspectorate.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 58055 on 16 June 2025.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answers of 10 and 17 June 2025 to Questions 54888 and 57271 on Planning Permission, and Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, if the designated Planning Minister will make it their policy to issue a direction under section 321 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to facilitate closed hearing planning representations during the their consideration of the Planning Inspectorate's report.

An independent Inspector held a public inquiry between 11 and 28 February which heard a range of evidence for and against the proposals in question. The Inspector’s Report is now before the Department for consideration. Ministers are able to issue a direction under section 321 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 on an application where required. There is no section 321 direction in force and no requests have been received in respect of this case.