Written questions by Simmonds.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has issued governance guidance to local authorities on whether a sitting Chairman or civic Mayor can preside over, and participate in, a Full Council debate and vote, where there is a motion for the annual Full Council to re-appoint that Chairman or civic Mayor for another year, including any guidance on the application of the case law of R v Owens (1858) to modern day Annual Council selection meetings.

Local authority governance arrangements are a matter for councils themselves, operating within the statutory framework set by the Local Government Act 1972.

How much funding was provided by her Department to the London Borough of Hillingdon for asylum support in 2024-25.

The Cabinet Office publish annual grant funding data (Government Grants Data and Statistics) where you can find details of grant levels by local authority area broken down per year. The Home Office does not publish any additional information.

Whether her Department engages with Greenpeace.

There has been no recent engagements with Greenpeace.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the number of Commonwealth citizens resident in the United Kingdom with an immigration status allowing them to be a qualifying Commonwealth elector.

There are no official statistics on the number of qualifying Commonwealth citizens living in the UK who are eligible to register to vote, either in England or across the United Kingdom. The Office for National Statistics publishes population estimates by nationality. These statistics suggest there are over one million Commonwealth nationals living in the UK. However, these figures cannot be used as an estimate to those eligible to register to vote, as it does not account for individuals’ immigration status or other eligibility criteria. As set out in the answer to Question UIN 120063 of 18 March 2026, the Electoral Commission has previously estimated that around 66% of qualifying Commonwealth citizens may be registered to vote (as at 2023). The Commission’s estimate is based on their survey data and provides an indication of the proportion registered; however no corresponding estimate exists for the total number eligible to register.

Which taxes (a) local authorities and (b) combined authority mayors will retain local revenues for.

The Government is developing a roadmap for fiscal devolution, which will set out plans to give mayors of strategic authorities control of a share of some national taxes that for too long have been allocated by central government. The Government will be working closely with mayors and businesses to develop the details of the roadmap, which will be published at this year’s Budget. Local authorities already retain revenues from council tax, and a locally retained share of business rates under the Business Rates Retention System, subject to reliefs and exemptions.

Pursuant to the answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 119316 on Strategic Migration Partnerships: Finance, what the (a) grant programme codes, (b) grant programme titles and (c) award dates were of payments to strategic migration partnerships in 2024-25.

The Home Office does not currently publish information relating to Strategic Migration Partnerships for 2024-25, previous years funding can be found here: Government Grants Data and Statistics

With reference to the answer of 6 March 2026 to Question HL14718 on Public Bodies: Human Rights, whether an (a) equality impact, (b) human rights, (c) regulatory impact and (d) environmental principles assessment has been produced for amending police powers on unauthorised traveller encampments.

The Government takes all necessary steps to ensure that legislation is developed in line with its statutory obligations and established processes, including the need to act compatibly with human rights.In response to the declaration of incompatibility made by the High Court in May 2024, the Government brought forward an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to reduce the no‑return period from twelve months to three months, addressing the incompatibility identified by the Court while retaining appropriate enforcement powers in relation to unauthorised encampments.The human rights implications of the amendment were considered as part of the usual Bill process, including through the published European Convention on Human Rights memorandum for the Crime and Policing Bill.The Government will consider equality impacts and other statutory duties in line with its usual processes.

What discussions she has had with the police on stationing police officers near polling stations in areas with previous instances of disorder, intimidation and undue influence.

Government is in close contact with partners, including police, to ensure the integrity of the local elections.The decisions on the deployment of officers at polling stations is a matter for the police and Ministers cannot not intervene in any operational decisions. To do so would undermine the principle that the police are entirely independent of Government.The police have a range of powers to deal with any behaviour that causes harassment, alarm or distress to others. The Government fully supports the police in their use of these powers to maintain public order and keep communities safe.

If she will publish the most recent version of the Valuation Office Agency's Property Details Guide.

There are no plans to publish the Valuation Office’s Property Details Guide at this time.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 119316 Strategic Migration Partnerships: Finance, what the nature of the sensitivity is.

The Home Office have Grant Agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place with Strategic Migration Partnerships in 12 regions/nations in the UK. Strategic Migration Partnerships provide leadership and coordination on migration for Asylum and Resettlement. Each Strategic Migration Partnership is awarded funding to carry out delivery of the outcomes under Asylum and Resettlement workstreams set out in the Grant and MOU. Funding is allocated individually to each SMP, and the details of each funding allocation is not shared amongst SMPs other than the recipient due to the agreement being made between the Home Office and recipient and varies in allocation amount.

What estimate she has made of the successful appeal rate against valuations for the new council tax surcharge.

HMRC Valuation Office is developing its approach to the High Value Council Tax Surcharge. The Government recognises the importance of the right to appeal and will consult on the details of this in 2026.

What the (a) budget and (b) forecast cost is of the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs.

As set out in the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry, published on 31 March 2026, the final report of the Inquiry must be submitted to the Home Secretary by 31 March 2029. It is supported by a £65 million budget.In addition, within three months of the formal setting up date of the Inquiry, the Chair and Panel must determine what must be delivered within this timeframe and budget and agree that assessment with the Home Secretary.

Whether residential properties subject to the annual tax on enveloped dwellings are required to pay the high value council tax surcharge.

If a residential property currently attracts the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings and is above the threshold for the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, it will pay both.

What estimate she has made of gross business rate receipts in (a) England and (b) the United Kingdom in (i) 2024-25, (ii) 2025-26 and (iii) 2026-27 following changes to pub and live music relief.

Business rates are a devolved tax. Details on business rates receipts in England can be found on page 112 of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s March 2026 Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The Barnett formula applied in the normal way, as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy, to changes in business rates revenue. A breakdown of Barnett consequentials for the Devolved Governments as a result of decisions at Spring Forecast will be reflected in the next iteration of the Block Grant Transparency publication.

With reference to the answer of 19 March 2026 to Question HL15251 on Business Rates, whether devolved Administrations will receive Barnett consequential funding for pub and live music relief; and whether the figures cited are for England only.

Business rates are a devolved tax. Details on business rates receipts in England can be found on page 112 of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s March 2026 Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The Barnett formula applied in the normal way, as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy, to changes in business rates revenue. A breakdown of Barnett consequentials for the Devolved Governments as a result of decisions at Spring Forecast will be reflected in the next iteration of the Block Grant Transparency publication.

With reference to the Valuation Office Agency news story entitled VOA integration with HMRC, of 12 March 2026, whether Valuation Office branding will be retained by HMRC.

From 1 April 2026, the Valuation Office Agency no longer exists as an executive agency, and now operates as a group within HMRC. The Valuation Office name has been retained, and it has been integrated into HMRC’s branding for customer communications.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to reverse the interpretation of Environmental Impact Assessment law on carbon emissions created by the Supreme Court ruling of R (on the application of Finch on behalf of the Weald Action Group) (Appellant) v Surrey County Council and others (Respondents) UKSC/2022/0064.

The government will continue to support the appropriate application of the judgment in the case of R (on the application of Finch on behalf of the Weald Action Group) (Appellant) v Surrey County Council and others (Respondents). Consideration of the judgment and wider case law will form part of the development of Environmental Outcomes Reports to provide clarity as to the nature of assessment required for different types of development.

With reference to the publication MHCLG: spending over £25,000, January 2026, published on 25 February 2026, if she will set out the purpose and specific activity relating to the transaction CFO & Corporate Coram(Thomas Coram Foundation), Ref: 5105609031, Research, for £37,075.

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

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the letter from the Secretary of State to the Leader of HM Opposition, dated 21 March 2026, how much and what proportion of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme is currently funded in the Spending Review.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 60128 on 4 July 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the change to the Housing Ombudsman Service's level of fees on the financial burden on local authorities; and what steps he will take to encourage the Housing Ombudsman Service to consult in a more timely fashion with local authorities on potential changes to annual fees in the next financial year.

Following consultation, the Housing Ombudsman published its 2026-27 Business Plan on 15 April. Both the final Business Plan and a consultation response summary can be found on the Housing Ombudsman’s website here.Fees will be increased to £9.64 per home in 2026-27 to deal with ongoing increases in demand.The Business Plan also makes clear that in 2026-27 the Housing Ombudsman will undertake a discovery exercise on alternative fee models that recognise positive complaint handling to potentially replace the per home charge and will work with my Department to support an earlier consultation.